FIREFIGHTERS evacuated homes near a Herefordshire hop farm after fire ripped through a barn.
The blaze took hold of the large barn at Brierley Court Hop Farm, near Lentwardine, at around 10.30pm last night, and quickly involved diesel storage tanks, electrical transformers and gas cylinders.
Around 40 firefighters from across the area attended the blaze, and police were also called in to evacuate homes within 200 yards of the barn as the gas cylinders were threatening to explode.
A police spokeswoman said five houses near the barn were evacuated, and the householders were told they could not return for 24 hours.
She added officers were investigating the blaze, and were trying to find out if it was started deliberately.
Firefighters were still at the scene as the Evening News went to press this morning, and an investigation into the blaze had started.
The scene had also been re-assessed this morning.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article