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Walkers urged to avoid beauty spot after farm fire

Sarah TurnnidgeWest of England
News imageDorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service A large mound of blackened hay bales, covered in flames, sits atop a hill. The sky is blue and parched fields can be seen stretching into the distance. Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
Fire crews found 250 hay bales on fire when they were called out

People have been warned to avoid a popular beauty spot after 250 hay bales were destroyed in a farm fire.

Fire and smoke were visible for miles across the countryside near Wroughton, Wiltshire, after the blaze broke out on Hackpen Hill.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Westlea, Swindon and Marlborough were sent to the scene shortly after 09:30 BST on Saturday.

Walkers and cyclists have been asked to avoid the site, which is one of a number of hills in the area to have a white horse carving. The fire service has not reported any injuries.

News imageThe fire seen from the bottom of the hill at some distance. Orange flames have consumed the hay bales, with lots of dark smoke stretching up into the pale blue sky.
Wiltshire Police have been asked by the fire service to attend the scene

A spokesperson for the fire service said crews had used hose reels to extinguish the fire, as well as farm machinery to create a fire break and prevent the flames from spreading.

Wiltshire Police had also been asked to attend the scene. The force has been approached for comment.

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