Crews tackle 100-tonne haystack fire

Crews from four Essex fire stations attended the scene on Tuesday afternoon

Firefighters have spent the afternoon tackling a 100-tonne haystack fire in a farm that caused the roof of a barn to collapse.

Essex Fire Service was called to Bluegate Hall Farm, Braintree, at about 14:14 BST.

Daniel Wastell, station manager, said: "Crews have done a great job at protecting the surrounding area and preventing the fire from spreading."

He said due to the difficulty in getting a water supply a bowser was sent from Halstead, with crews from from Wethersfield, Braintree and Dunmow also called out.

"Some of the roof of the open-sided barn has collapsed due to the heat," he added.

"Firefighters will remain on scene... to monitor the fire until it is safe to hand back to the owner."