Flames visible for 10 miles as 2,000 tonnes of straw burns

Flames could be seen from as far as 10 miles away as firefighters tackled a blaze involving about 2,000 tonnes of a straw in a Shropshire field.

Power to a number of homes in the Newport area was also knocked out overnight after the fire burned through a power line going across the field.

Supplies are believed to have been restored by 1.30am today.

The blaze at Howle could be seen from about 10 miles away.

The alarm was raised shortly before 10.25pm and firefighters from Wellington, Newport, Market Drayton and Hodnet were sent to the scene.

The cause of the fire, involving stacked bales of straw, has not been disclosed.

Crews were expected to remain at the scene throughout the day.

A fire service spokesman said: "We provided a water curtain to protect the adjacent fields, which were full of maize. There was a live power line going through the field which presented a few problems. It had to be isolated before we could get closer to it."

He said: "As we were approaching it from Wellington we could see it was a serious fire. Luckily the fire was contained to the bales. Our main concern was it spreading to the adjacent fields and taking down power lines."

The West Mercia police helicopter used its thermal imaging camera to check for anyone at the site of the fire.

David Turner, who sent in pictures of the blaze at its peak, said: "The electricity cables and poles burnt through with a 'blue flash' causing many homes to be without power."

He added: "The fire must have been seen for miles as friends on Facebook could see it from Telford."

Mr Turner said: "At about 10.15pm my wife Karen noticed the sky as she was putting the dog in her kennel. We live half a mile away and took a drive down to the field which is located at the junction of Tibberton/Howle Road and Great Bolas/Waters Upton Road.

"In the last month two massive euro bale straw ricks were erected in the field . . . On arrival at the field the fire was well under way in both ricks."

By Lisa Rowley