FIREFIGHTERS battled through the night to tackle a major barn fire.

Six fire engines, water carriers, an aerial appliance and a command unit were at the scene at the height of the blaze.

There were 30 firefighters on scene at Crown Road in Marnhull.

They travelled to the scene from Yeovil, Shaftesbury, Sturminster Newton, Gillingham, Sherborne and Mere.

Around 25 calls were received from members of the public and nearby residents were urged to keep doors and windows closed.

A spokesman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said the fire continued to burn throughout the night and one fire engine and an officer remain at the scene this morning to monitor the situation.

Detectives are now working with the fire service to investigate the blaze and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

Dorset Police say they received a report from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service at 8.44pm yesterday that firefighters were at the scene of a barn fire.

Fire crews extinguished the blaze and an investigation into the cause is ongoing.

Detective Sergeant Tom Hall, of Weymouth CID, said: “We are continuing to liaise with the fire service to establish the cause of the fire, which is currently unexplained.

“We are considering the possibility that the fire may have been started deliberately and I am appealing for anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area last night or who has any information that may assist our investigation to please contact Dorset Police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55190133595. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Originally published in the

Dorset Echo