Fire crews battle barn blaze
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More than 100 firefighters were called to an
Isle of Sheppey farm early today after a barn containing dangerous
chemicals went up in flames.
The blaze at Old Ridge Farm, Leysdown Road,
Leysdown, led to nearby residents being told to close their windows
and doors.
The alarm was raised at 2.44am with crews from Eastchurch and
Sheppey first on the scene.
Quickly realising the scale of the fire, they called
in crews from other parts of the county.
A 400-metre exclusion zone was set up after fears were raised
that a store of ammonium nitrate, which is used in fertilizer,
could explode.
An estimated 3,000 tonnes of bailed hay was also destroyed.
Crews planned to allow the fire to burn out under controlled
conditions.
Kent Police closed Leysdown Road until mid-morning and residents
were advised not to leave their homes.
Fire crews are expected to be at the scene for the duration of
today.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
For more on this story, don't miss this week's Sheerness
Times Guardian.
Sunday, July 11 2010
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