Arson one of leading causes of UK farm fires

Arson has emerged as a leading cause of UK farm fires, according to a new NFU Mutual report.

The insurer estimates blazes destroying crops, buildings and equipment cost farmers £102m in 2024, with electrical faults and lightning strikes the other top triggers.

Selkirkshire farmer Nigel Miller experienced the impact first-hand after an arson attack last year forced him to rescue 30 cattle from a smoke-filled barn.

See also: Fire risk planning – what to consider on a livestock farm

A neighbour returning home late at night spotted the flames and helped Mr Miller and his son drive the cattle to safety.

“We were left with a mess of charred, sodden straw coated with shattered asbestos, which had to be removed by a specialist firm for safe disposal,” said Mr Miller.

“Having a fire on your farm leaves a mark on you and changes how you behave.

“For weeks, I kept going out to check the buildings every few minutes through the evenings and found it very difficult to go to bed before midnight.

“Eventually, I realised that for your own sake you have to try and put it behind you.”

The attack caused £28,000 worth of damage and was one of several suspected arson incidents in the Borders. Police made an arrest.

NFU Mutual also reports £37m in agricultural vehicle fire losses in 2024.

Last summer’s cooler, wetter weather and farmers holding on to older machinery may explain why combine harvester fire costs fell 52% to £3.5m.

This follows two years of far higher losses, at £11m and £7.4m.

In Norfolk, near Diss, farmer John Davie-Thornhill said only rapid action by firefighters stopped a crop fire from spreading to nearby homes.

“We think the fire was caused by the combine knife striking a flint which sparked, setting fire to the straw,” he said.

“It’s extraordinary how fast fire can spread across stubble – the conditions were dry but not exceptional, so we didn’t think there was a particularly high risk of fire compared to some extreme periods.”