‘YOUTHS’ were seen running from the scene of a barn blaze which saw more than 50 tonnes of hay catch fire.

At about 6pm yesterday, crews from Didcot, Abingdon and Wheatley were called to the fire in fields near Harwell and Great Western Park.

Fifty tonnes of hay, destined for animal feeding, were on fire, with the blaze near to livestock penned in a nearby field.

The contents of the barn were completely destroyed, while damage to the structure of the building will mean the barn will have to be demolished.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service reported it had ‘significant resources’ at the incident until 6am this morning, 12 hours after the initial call was made.

Posting online, the fire service added: “Youths were seen running from the scene at the time the fire was discovered, Thames Valley Police are investigating several leads.

“This incident has cost the farmer a great deal of money and it tied up five fire appliances and 21 personnel for an entire night.

“If you have any information that may assist, please call 101.”