Nearby residents have shared their shock after a fire broke out in their village. On Friday, February 17, a fire in Saxondale was reported to the emergency services at around 7pm.
A number of firefighters were called to the scene where a number of hay bales were on fire. It has since been found that around 400 tonnes of bailed straw had been burnt in the fire.
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue and Nottinghamshire Police have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the fire. Although a number of lines of enquiry are being considered, some local residents fear the blaze was deliberate.
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Owner of Nottingham Hardwood Timber, Simon Danby, 56, said: "It was horrendous. I didn't know anything until I saw it on Facebook.
"It was very surprising, it was totally unexpected and if it happened there why wouldn't it happen here as we have another farm here. Nothing like that has ever happened before, it's like arson."
Simon added: "We all look after each other around the village here, we are a small community so we look out for each other." A 56 year old Saxondale resident who did not wish to be named said: "We didn't see it, I was told about it by a friends further down the road, we didn't realise it had happened.
"It is shocking really." When asked if anything like this happened in the village before, She replied: "I don't think so, but we've only been here a bit over three years."
Housewife Julie Place, 58, said: "We saw it, but I don't remember what time. We saw it go up and then we rung the farm and couldn't get through to them.
"They managed to pull out about a quarter of the straw before the whole thing went up. I've been here for 17 years and we have never seen anything like this happen before."
A retired resident in her eighties who did not wish to be named said: "I didn't see anything, I just heard about it.
"In the past there has been a lot of things happen here, like farm machinery being stolen. I didn't know anything about it until afterwards, but it's awful.
"Farming areas have always been a target for things happening. It doesn't surprise me, things like this happen in the countryside."
Another resident who did not wish to be named added: "It's horrible, I heard about it the next day and couldn't believe it had happened. It must have been arson."
Police said they are investigating the incident.
A Nottinghamshire Police spokesperson said: "Officers have launched an investigation with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and carrying out a number of lines of enquiry. "They are also appealing for any witnesses. Anyone who has any information is being asked to call 101, quoting incident number 0713 of 17 February 2023. "Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111." A spokesperson for Bingham fire station said: "This was approximately 400 tonnes of bailed straw well-alight.
"We had fire engines from Bingham, two from London Road and a water bowser from Worksop in attendance." A resident told Nottinghamshire Live on Saturday (February 18) that the fire was still "simmering" at the scene.
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