Farmer distraught after major barn blaze

A farmer has told how he had to rescue his cattle when a huge Dutch barn went up in flames.

Fire crews from across west Suffolk were dispatched after the blaze was reported in Hinderclay, near Diss, in the early hours of yesterday morning, at about 12.40am.

The barn in Pear Tree farm in Chapel Road contained a tractor, a combine harvester and 500 tonnes of straw.

Owner and farmer Peter Thorrold, who is a member of Hinderclay Parish Council, yesterday told how the scene of the blaze had been reduced to "a pile of ash".