A MINOR disaster was avoided on Tuesday evening as fire crews managed to prevent a barn fire in Ballaugh from spreading to a neighbouring plantation.
Fire crews from Kirk Michael, Ramsey and Douglas fire stations were mobilised to the blaze in a barn fire on the Ballaugh/Druidale Road at around 7.15pm.
The fire involved a large amount of pea hay, although, despite strong winds, the fire did not spread further into the barn.
Cattle were relocated without harm, and water had to be ferried to the scene in a relay of fire appliances until the arrival of a 4,000 litre water carrier from Douglas.
Crews were assisted by the farm owner who used a digger to pull the hay apart enabling crews to damp down and eventually extinguish the blaze, which was eventually brought under control by 9.15pm.
There were no reported injuries, and crews eventually left the scene at 1.30am.
The cause of the blaze has not yet been ascertained.
