Berriew farm blaze “not suspicious”

 

Just weeks since a massive blaze ravaged a farm on the English border side of Forden, yesterday’s blaze at Cil Pentre Farm, near Berriew, saw a barn full of hay or straw go up in flames.

 

And while the police said the inferno, which required fire fighters from Welshpool, Newtown and Llanfair Caereinion to bring under control, was “not suspicious”, a fire brigade insider said the likely cause was a bonfire which was started too close to the barn.

 

“It appears to be accidental when a small bonfire went out of control in the strong winds and spread to the barn close by,” he said.

 

Farmers looking to start their own bonfires are urged to contact Newtown Fire Station for safety advice first.