Arsonists torch 500 hay bales on award-winning dairy farm

Arsonists are being blamed for setting hundreds of hay bales alight on an award-winning dairy farm in Worcestershire.

The fire at Churchfields Farm, in Salwarpe, Droitwich, destroyed about 500 hay bales.

Twenty firefighters took seven hours to extinguish the fire as the flames engulfed the hay.

See also: Fire destroys bales and machinery at Cheshire farm

Fire crews were still on the scene 24 hours later damping down the flames and searching for remaining hotspots.

West Mercia Police believe the fire was started deliberately and it has launched an investigation to find those responsible.

A spokesman for Worcestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called to an incident on a farm field off Chawson Lane, in Droitwich, at 4.31pm on Thursday.

“We sent two appliances from Droitwich, one from Evesham, one from Worcester, one from Kidderminster and a water carrier.

“The fire involved about 500 hay bales, which were well alight. Relief crews worked throughout the night, damping down to control the fire into the following day.

“We closed the incident at 2.27pm on Friday. The fire does look to have been deliberately started.”

Churchfields Farm is a dairy farm run by Michael Davies and his daughter Gillian Kerton.

The farm has won a string of awards for its luxury ice cream brand Churchfields Farmhouse Ice Cream.