A man has been charged with arson following a large fire in a barn near the White Horse landmark.
Thick smoke was visible from nearby roads as flames engulfed the farm building on Quarry Lane, near Bratton. Fire crews and police attended the scene on 23rd January to bring the blaze under control.
Liam Jones, 29, of no fixed abode, has admitted to deliberately setting fire to the barn.
A spokesperson for Westbury Police said, “He was arrested swiftly after the fire and was remanded following good work from the Volume Crime Team.”
Jones appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 24th January and has been remanded in custody. He is due to be sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on 28th February.
Fire crews spent around 12 hours tackling the blaze, while a specialist team moved cows in the vicinity to safety.
At the time, a Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said, “Three crews were mobilised from Westbury, Warminster and Trowbridge, along with the water carrier from Wilton, and on arrival found one barn alight containing livestock and approximately 100 tonnes of straw.
“A further two fire engines were mobilised from Corsham and Frome (Devon & Somerset FRS), along with two support appliances from Devizes. A specialist animal rescue team from Stratton was also requested.”
Westbury Fire Brigade shared a photo from the scene on Facebook, warning people to avoid the area. They said, “Large barn fire up at the White Horse today. Five pumps, one water carrier and police in attendance, likely to be on scene overnight. Please try to avoid the area.”
Pictured: Fire trucks on the scene (Photo credit DWFRS)
