EMBER from a nearby bonfire is believed to have started a barn fire yesterday afternoon.

About 60 bales of straw and a straw shredding machine were alight in the four-bay Dutch bar in Arley Lane, Shatterford, near Kidderminster.

Two fire engines from Kidderminster and a water carrier from Leominster were called to the blaze at 1.30pm.

Firefighters in breathing apparatus tackled the fire with two hose reels and one main jet.

The farmer's digger was used to pull the straw from the barn so that fire-fighters could damp it down and ensure the fire was fully extinguished.

Most of the straw was destroyed as a result of the fire and one side of the barn and its roof as well as the shredding machine were severely damaged.

Crew commander Dave Pearsall from HWFRS said the fire was believed to have been caused by an ember from a nearby bonfire and he warned anyone lighting a bonfire to be extremely vigilant.

He warned people to light garden fires well away from trees, fences or other objects that might catch alight, and to be aware that breezy conditions can present an extra hazard.

The stop message was given at 4.40pm and a further re-inspection was carried out later the same evening.