FIRE appliances from Dalry and Kilbirnie raced to a barn on fire at Flashwood Farm, Dalry just after 6.30pm on Thursday, December 11.

On arrival fire fighters found the 60 metres by 20 metres structure containing 25 tonnes of baled hay was well alight.

Station Manager Derek Davidson said: “It is not unusual to have a lack of hydrants in close proximity to a farm so we regularly have significant challenges to face in respect of locating good water supplies when firefighting in such premises.

“As a result Watch Manager Fred Williams requested additional resources to allow a water relay from an open supply to be set up to assist firefighting operations therefore an additional fire crew was mobilised from Kilwinning Community Fire Station to the scene.” He added: “It took a significant time to deal with the incident therefore relief crews from Ardrossan, Kilmarnock and as far away as Paisley attended the farm throughout the night and next day with the last crew leaving the incident ground at 2.30pm on Friday 12th December, some 20 hours after the initial attendance.” “It is thought the incident may have been caused maliciously therefore I would urge all rural landowners to maintain as high a level as vigilance and security as possible within their properties.”