HORSES had a narrow escape after flames tore through a barn at a farm following a suspected arson attack on Friday night.

The alarm was raised at Fairfolds Farm along Woodcock Hill in Sandridge at around 11.50pm when a large collection of adjoined steel storage buildings containing straw went up in flames near to a stable block with 11 horses inside.

Of major concern to firefighters in attendance was a volatile oil tank but the crews managed to protect it and stop the fire from spreading.

The horses escaped harm but the barn, which was around 30 metres by 15 metres in size, was completely gutted in the blaze which took six crews of firefighters until around 2am to put out.

Police are treating the fire as deliberate and investigations are underway to find the culprit.

And detectives revealed this week that the arson attack followed another incident at the farm whereby 15 Leylandii trees were stolen overnight from the front of the property on either Friday, June 25, or Saturday, June 26.

Pc Sharon Fisher said: “Both incidents are subject to full investigations. The fire, which we are treating as arson, has completely destroyed the barn.

“The horses, which were located nearby, were not harmed by the fire but if it wasn’t caught early it could have easily spread to the stable.

“In relation to the theft of the trees we believe the offenders would have been outside the property for a considerable period because evidence suggests they were carefully removed from the ground.”

She said that they would have also had to use a relatively large vehicle to transport the trees as they were around 1.25 metres tall.

Pc Fisher added: “I would ask anyone who may have seen suspicious behaviour near to this property around the times of the incidents to contact police as soon as possible.”

Those with information should call the non-emergency number on 0845 3300222 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.