West Hanney: Firefighters tackle hay bale inferno

Firefighters have rushed to a blaze that resulted in dozens of hay bales being destroyed.

Crews from Wantage and Abingdon were called to the farmer's field in West Hanney, Oxfordshire, just after 23:00 GMT on Sunday.

Police are investigating and said they were treating the incident as arson.

The nearby Winter Lane had been closed in both directions and would reopen when safe, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

Fire crews monitored the blaze, allowing a "controlled burn", the service added.

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: "We received a report of a large quantity of hay bales on fire in a farmer's field shortly before midnight.

"Officers attended along with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, who will remain on the scene to manage the fire, which is thought to have been started on purpose."

The force is appealing for information.

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