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Thursday, August 28, 2008, 09:36
A small tractor and some garden furniture was damaged in the blaze at North Whilborough which was first spotted by the owners at 6am.
More than 30,000 litres of water was used to douse the flames, which enveloped the 25 by 10 metres structure at The Firs.
Three pumps attended the scene together with a water bowser which ferried the water from a hydrant nearby.
Two main jets were used to fight the blaze which caused severe damage to the barn-cum-store at the smallholding.
Fire spokesman Dave Crawford said early indications were that the chest freezer in the barn may have developed an electrical fault which started the fire.
"Further investigations will be carried out but this appears to the cause at the moment," he said.
He revealed there were initial concerns about asbestos in the roof of the barn, but there were no environmental hazards encountered in tackling the incident.
He said any subsequent removal of asbestos from the site would be the responsibility of insurers.
Firefighters were still damping down three hours after receiving the 999 call.
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