A spokesperson for the local fire service told the Irish Farmers Journal that the alarm was raised at 3am and two crews fought the blaze until 11.30am. As it was close to the road, traffic was diverted during that time.

While much of the hay was destroyed, the firefighters appeared to have saved the shed, which was still standing after their intervention. The cause of the fire was not known to the fire brigade.

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.

According to Offaly Fire and Rescue Service, “a lot of work is needed to extinguish hay barn fires but is made all the easier using mechanical machinery to remove the bales so that firefighters can access the fire”.

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