Incident: Barn Fire in Rhiwlas

At 12.49pm on Thursday, July 19^th, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) crews from Llanfyllin, Llandrindod Wells, Welshpool, Llanfair Caereinion and Montgomery Fire Stations were called to an incident in Rhiwlas, Oswestry.

MAWWFRS crews, along with crews from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, responded to a barn measuring approximately 45m x 14m and approximately 120 large bales of hay involved in fire.  Due to the presence of cylinders within the barn, the farmer and crews started removing the hay bales and crews were dampening them down as they were being removed.  The cylinders were located and cooled using a hose reel jet.  All bales were removed from the barn and placed in an exterior location to burn out.

Crews utilised one 45m hose, two main jets, two hose reel jets, two thermal imaging cameras, lighting and hand tools.  Following monitoring and cooling down, the final MAWWFRS crews left at 7.46am on Friday, July 19^th.

The fire was caused accidentally by spontaneous combustion of the stored hay.

Farm Fire Safety

A large proportion of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s area is home to a tapestry of rural and agricultural communities.  Following this incident, MAWWFRS is issuing a farm fire safety reminder and advice to members of the farming communities:

• FREE Bale Temperature Testing Service
  MAWWFRS is pleased to offer a FREE Bale Temperature Testing Service.  If you have concerns regarding the temperature of your bales, please contact us to request a check of the temperature and moisture content of the bales, using specialist equipment.  Depending on the readings we receive, we will then work with you to formulate a plan to manage the associated risks.  To book a free visit, please call 0800 169 1234.
  If bales are smouldering or on fire call 999 immediately.
  
• Stored bales must not have a moisture content greater than 22%.
  Bales that have a moisture content of 22% or higher pose a risk of increasing in heat once stacked, leading to overheating and possible spontaneous combustion.
• The temperature of bales should be bcaning brought off the field for storage.
  Bales with a temperature above 35°C can maintain their own heat generation to a point where spontaneous combustion can occur.
• Bale Storage Advice
  Where possible, stacks should be sited separately, away from other farm buildings, especially livestock buildings. Keep stacks to a reasonable size, well apart and dry.  Avoid storing fertilisers, chemicals, gas cylinders, tractors and other machinery in barns containing bales.  Ensure that all electrical equipment and wiring is well-maintained.
  If bales are smouldering or on fire call 999 immediately.
  
• Signs of bales overheating
  Signs of bales overheating may include discolouration or browning in some areas, stacks seen to be ‘steaming’ early in the morning or late evening, the presence of a sweet, sickly smell and hay turning to a tobacco-like form.