Blaze claims barn filled with 50 tonnes of fertiliser

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service were called to the barn off Green Lane in High Haswell just after 6.10am today.

Two crews from Peterlee, one from Seaham and one from Wheatley Hill were joined by the water relay unit from Durham at the site.

Smoke could be seen from some distance away, with Andrew Brumby catching the plume overhead using a drone.

Checks established the 50 tonnes of fertiliser was non-hazardous.

The fire within the steel-clad barn spread to 50 tonnes of straw and a tractor trailer unit.

Water jets have been used to bring the fire under control, with two crews still on scene.

It is expected the fire service will remain at the farm for some time to come while checks are carried out to ensure the fire is out.