QUICK ACTION BY STAFF AND STUDENTS SAVES ANIMALS AND THE HISTORIC BARNS AT FORTY HALL FARM
A fire was accidentally started at Forty Hall Farm on Thursday 27 May by a spark from the workshop. This quickly caught hold in the hay and straw barn and caused damage to the barn, workshop and a storage room.
No-one or any animals were injured in the fire and the prompt response by the fire service contained the fire into the area where it started.
Seven appliances attended and roads in the area were closed for several hours. The burning hay was still being damped down twelve hours after the fire started.
CEO Steve Dowbiggin paid tribute to all concerned by saying “I would like to thank the fire service for their response to this incident and also praise the professionalism of my staff and students. The damage to two of the buildings is regrettable but all the major historic barns and features were not at risk. I think we need to consider moving the hay barn away from the historic buildings to minimise the risk of a recurrence in the future”.
