A dramatic photo reveals the scale of flames faced by firefighters at an Oxfordshire farm on Monday night.

A large fire broke out overnight in hay bales on a farm off New Yatt Road in Witney. 

A neighbour shared photographs of the blaze which broke out at 1.45am on Monday, August 28, near The King’s School.

Students do not return to the independent school until next week.

Residents said fire crews started to arrive from about 1am.

Firefighters from Witney and Wheatley fire stations remained on the scene the following morning, Tuesday, August 29 to try to bring the fire under control. 

Spontaneous combustion can occur where there are high moisture levels in hay as natural processes such as the production of moulds and other chemical reactions lead to the production of heat.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue advised homes in the area, particularly those south east of the fire, to close doors and windows due to the smoke.