FIREFIGHTERS tackled a blaze that tore through a barn and stables near Oxford. 

Crews were called to Home Farm, in Besselsleigh, at 8.30am this morning, where a number of stables and outbuildings were on fire. 

The fire had been burning through the night before it was discovered. 

Two fire engines from Rewley Road Fire Station in Oxford along with a water carrier from Wheatley attended the scene.

Firefighters used high pressure hose reels to extinguish and contain the fire.

Incident commander, station manager Paul Webster, said: “With the assistance of the farmer we were able to move the bales of straw away from the building to prevent any further ignition.

"Thankfully none of the animals were injured. This was an unfortunate incident in which the livestock were lucky to escape, and a reminder to all farmers to move combustible material away from buildings that are used as stables or barns they keep animals in.

"This building is well away from any road or neighboring houses so the fire was not discovered until the horse owner returned in the morning."

The cause of the fire is not thought to be suspicious, but a specialist fire investigator from Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service is undertaking additional analysis.