Loud explosions shook houses at massive fire in Bishampton

Shocked neighbours stood and watched as a massive fire ripped through 200 tonnes of straw a hay barn at a farm in Main Street, Bishampton last night (Thursday).

Flames and smoke could be seen as far away as Upton Snodsbury as six fire crews battled to tame the flames which involved a telephone mast.

Nobody was injured during the fire.

Here's how we reported the fire

Relief firefighters remained on site this morning (Friday) to carry out an inspection with a thermal imaging camera.

An eyewitness watching the fire spoke of being able to feel her house shake as the fire took hold of the barn at 7pm.

She said: "I was in my house and just heard some noise.

"There were a few big bangs and I thought it was kids messing about with fireworks.

"Then the noise was much louder, exploding bangs and it shook my house.

"I opened my curtains and could see there was just all this smoke and flames.

"I got straight on to 999 but they had already been contacted by someone.

"We have been told everyone is safe but my heart breaks for them."

Colin Pemberton also witnessed the fire, he said: "I was on my way home from Fladbury and couldn't help but see orange flames in the distance around Bishampton.

"A police car overtook me as I got there around 7.30pm and it was clear that a barn was already well alight.

"Across the field I could hear voices shouting.

"Some onlookers mentioned they'd heard that there were two explosions before the blaze started.

"Within a few minutes a second fire crew arrived but it was clear that the barn couldn't be saved.

"From my home five miles away you could still see the orange glow in the sky around midnight when I went to bed.

"It's incredibly sad for the farmers that so much has been destroyed."

Police warned people to stay away from the village while the fire was ongoing though the road remained open to vehicles.

A spokesman for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: "Six crews – three from Evesham and one each from Worcester, Droitwich and Bromsgrove – plus the service drone from Ledbury were called at just after 7pm to an agricultural building fire in Bishampton.

"Crews discovered a barn fire well alight.

"The building was approximately 10m by 30m containing around 200 tonnes of straw.

"The fire was fought using three main jets and two hosereel jets augmented by water from the street mains.

"A telephone mast involved in the fire was isolated.

"Police also attended but there were no casualties.

"A relief crew remains in attendance and has this morning carried out an inspection with a thermal imaging camera.

"No hotspots were found."