Arson Attacks Destroys Hundreds Of Straw Bales

A fire that destroyed over 2,000 bales of straw bales in Little Oxendon in the early hours of yesterday was started deliberately.

Four fire crews tackled the blaze in a large barn at Little Oxendon Farm on Farndon Road, after being alerted just before 3.45am and remained at the scene for several hours.

It was the latest such arson attack at farms in the Harborough area this month.

The farmer told Hfm it could have been much worse had the blaze spread and that he has lost straw which was due to be used for winter bedding for his cattle, that is in short supply:

The fire at Little Oxendon Farm   Pic: Desborough Fire Station

A number of silage bales in a field further down Farndon Road towards Great Oxendon were also set alight – that blaze was spotted just before 7am but is thought to have been burning for a number of hours.

It was the third arson attack at a local farm in a fortnight, following large blazes in Weston By Welland and West Langton, which also destroyed straw bales, and last night a large hay bale stack was set alight just off the A43 at Hannington in Northamptonshire.

Anyone with information is urged to call Police on 101.

The fire at Little Oxendon Farm   Pic: Desborough Fire Station