Firefighters battle Marsh Benham barn fire

FIREFIGHTERS from three local stations prevented a barn fire spreading to the thatched roof of a pub in Marsh Benham during the early hours of this morning (Tues).

Crew manager of White Watch at Newbury Fire Station, Alex Dallimore, said two pumps from Newbury, one from Hungerford and another from Reading, an aerial ladder and water carrier were called at 4.30am to a barn blaze behind the Red House pub in Marsh Benham.

“It was well alight,” said Mr Dallimore.

“We made sure sparks didn’t land on the thatched roof of the pub.”

The cause was put down to an electrical short circuit.

Southern Electric were also at the scene isolating the power supply.

Firefighters left the scene at around 8.30am.