Major barn fire in Whatlington

The structure in Mill Lane, which was used as a workshop and to store cars, caught fire just before 3.20pm.

By the time firefighters from Battle arrived on the scene, the 15 metres by 15 metres building was already well alight.

The team was quickly joined by crews from Bohemia Road, The Ridge, Broad Oak and Bexhill fire stations, along with specialist vehicles from Uckfield and Crowborough fire stations.

There were fears the blaze could spread to a neighbouring aviary, but luckily firefighters managed to keep the flames away.

Crew commander Jon Baker, from Battle Fire Station, said: “It was a severe fire. We were there until approximately 9pm and we returned again the next morning for re-inspection.

“There was extensive damage to both the building itself and the contents.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The blaze comes just one month after a barn in Brown Bread Street, Ashburnham, was affected by a major fire.

An investigation revealed that blaze had started accidentally.

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