Watch: Firefighters avert explosion in stable block fire near Beccles

Firefighters attend the scene of a fire in a stable block in Kirby Cane near Beccles.PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

About 30 firefighters were called to the fire, which broke out in stable blocks on the farm on Wardley Hill Road, Kirby Cane, situated along a quiet country road.

Flames could be seen for miles around as firefighters tackled the blaze, which was made more difficult because of cylinders in the buildings which may have been in danger of exploding. Firefighters also had difficulty in finding adequate water supplies to tackle the blaze due to the rural location.

The owners were present and accounted for and no animals were hurt in the fire.

Duncan Ashworth, station manager for North Earlham, said: 'We were called at 9.30pm to a fire at two large wooden stable blocks at a farmhouse. The house was unaffected but on the far side of the property there were two blocks and two big wooden garages which are gone.

'There were also some wooden sheds or outbuildings containing a variety of gas cylinders, paints and fillers. The difficulty in the early stages was water supplies because it is a rural location. The nearest hydrant was a long way away and we were having to go to fill up the pump which meant a break in service.

'We had to make sure the cylinders were not going to be dangerous so they were being monitored with thermal imaging because if they keep heating they would explode. Thankfully that did not happen. There will be an investigation to try to establish the cause of the fire.''

Five fire crews from Suffolk, Loddon, Harleston, Hethersett and Bungay were called to the scene.

They included a water carrier and support vehicle from Hethersett.

The road was blocked for a time while firefighters tackled the blaze. They were expected to remain on the scene into the early hours.