Farmers on arson alert as third fire rages

A third Northumberland farm was hit on Wednesday, following two attacks on neighbouring farms within a matter of minutes on Tuesday. Police believe the attacks, which they are treating are arson, are linked and are appealing for information on how the fires were started.

Wednesday’s attack saw a stack of 1,000 hay bales set alight at around 9pm at a farm in Belford, Northumberland. The blaze forced the police closed the nearby A1 in both directions for three hours.

On Tuesday evening, fire crews were called to barn fires at Causey Park, near Morpeth, and Chevington Moor, about one mile away. The fires were started within minutes of each other.

Police said a ‘substantial amount of damage’ had been caused but that no people or animals were hurt.

Peter Hogg, of Causey Park Farm, which has been in the family for 150 years, estimated that at least £60,000 of damage had been done. He said the fire would force the family to buy in straw at a time when prices are unusually high.

“It is a kick in the shins that you don’t expect,” he told the Morpeth Herald.. “This is our livelihood. We are providing jobs for six or seven people and these arsonists come along and try to destroy it for just five minutes of fun.

“They are just scum. They don’t realise what they are doing.”

Chris Manners, of Chevington Moor, said around £100,000 worth of damage had been caused, on top of £30,000-worth of produce being lost.

“It was barley straw that has been in there for about a month, it’s the best stuff as well. Now we will have to get it from somewhere else which is more expense and we have got nowhere to put the cattle,” he said.

Commenting after the first two incidents, Northumberland Police’s Inspector Alison Best said: “Both of these incidents are suspected arson attacks and we are working alongside the fire service to establish the circumstances and the cause of these fires.

“This type of incident is not common in our rural communities, and the community can rest assured that we are working to find those responsible.” 

Anyone who was in the area at the time or knows anything about either of these fires is expected to call police on 03456 043 043 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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