A DEVASTATED farmer has been left to pick up the pieces after a blaze ripped through his barn during the last firefighters' strike.

Fred Saunders, who owns Wood Lane Farm in Fairfield, saw thousands of pounds of stock go up in smoke when the corn, seed, hay and straw stored in his barn caught fire last Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Saunders, who was selling his stock at his corn mill shop, in Lye, near Halesowen, at the time, said: "It has killed my livelihood. I just don't know what to do. It's been a nightmare."

One regular fire engine, which was manned by members of the armed forces, a Green Goddess and a breathing apparatus rescue team were called out by Mr Saunders' neighbour Arthur Wilson.

They arrived at the scene at 3.25pm. The fire was put out by about 6pm and no one was hurt. But they weren't able to save the farmer's stock.

Mr Saunders said: "I'm so grateful to Arthur. He has done me the best favour anyone could do by phoning 999. And he's been working through the day helping me clean up."

He added: "I think the armed forces caused more damage than the fire did but without them it could have been ten times worse. The fire blokes did their best but they're not the proper fire brigade."

As yet, Mr Saunders is unsure what caused the fire.

"The fire people suggested it was combustion but I think it could have been arson," he said.

Mr Saunders' neighbours have been rallying round to provide support and help.

"I really want to thank Arthur Wilson and Mick Overton. Mick came up from Catshill with his JCB earth digger and was helping us shift the burnt stock."