FIREFIGHTERS tackled a barn blaze for more than 24 hours on Kenyon Lane, Croft on Sunday morning.

Two barns were completely destroyed by the flames as 300 tonnes of straw and 200 tonnes of grain caught fire.

Witnesses said they heard loud bangs and could see a large amount of smoke billowing from the site.

Peter Ince, of Cedar Avenue, Lowton, saw the flames during a 7.45am stroll near the junction of Wilton Lane.

He said: “Across the fields I could see a huge cloud of smoke rising up.

“From where I was it actually appeared to be several miles away.

“I then heard small explosions and bangs and a few minutes later I heard emergency vehicle sirens.

“Further along Kenyon Lane I saw fire engines and a large barn on fire from a footpath just to the back of the barn.”

Fire crews were called on Sunday at 7.40am and were still at the scene until mid-morning on Monday as they battled to dampen down the flames and ensure there were no other hot spots.

Spontaneous combustion has been pinpointed as the cause due to a combination of wet hay in humid weather.

Cheshire Fire has urged barn owners to carry out fire risk assessments after a spate of fires across the county.