July 30, 2018 3.08 pm This story is over 68 months old

Police investigate ‘deliberate’ hay bales fire

The cause is recorded as arson

A deliberate fire involving up to 400 hay bales was started overnight, but Fire & Rescue crews were not needed to take action at the incident between Willingham by Stow and Marton.

The fire was reported to Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue at 8.45pm on Sunday, July 29 with crews from Gainsborough and Saxilby attending.

Police are treating the incident as arson.

Photo: Christoph Gothorp

A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue said: “Fire and Rescue did not need to take action. It was left under the supervision of the farmer, who was at the scene. The cause is recorded as deliberate.”

Eyewitness Sam Swannack captured video footage at the scene and he told Lincolnshire Reporter: “There was a fire engine to monitor the fire, but I’m not sure how or why it started.

“Ash was falling everywhere and the fire could be seen from Scampton. It was still going in the early hours of the morning.”

A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police told Lincolnshire Reporter the incident is being treated as arson and anyone with information should contact them on 101 quoting incident number 433 of July 29.

Photo: Christoph Gothorp