FIREFIGHTERS are tackling a fire which broke out in a storage barn containing two tractors.

FARM equipment has been destroyed and a barn roof has collapsed after a large fire at a Suffolk farm.

The blaze at Valley Farm in Great Green, near Diss, broke out shortly after 6.15pm tonight.

The roof of the metal and timber structure collapsed and a tractor and teleporter - a lifting and digging machine - were crushed and burnt.

However no one was hurt and the fire was contained within the 8m by 6m barn.

Michael Mortlock, 62, who owns the arable farm and lives on the site, said: “The barn went up in smoke. We just called the fire service and they came straight away.

“There was an awful lot of smoke and a few explosions with the tyres of the tractor and diesel tanks going up.

“I don't know how it started but I assume it was an electrical fault.”

Four fire crews were called to the scene, from both Suffolk and Norfolk, along with Suffolk Fire and Rescue's control vehicle from Bury St Edmunds, and the road was closed by police officers.

Crews were initially concerned about a gas cylinder in the barn and nearby fertilizer, but once they established there was no threat managed to bring the fire under control.

Ferial Rolfe, group manager with the service, said: “We were called to a report of a tractor on fire. The first crew from Eye quickly realised it was more than that, and the barn and surrounding farm paraphernalia was involved in the fire.”

The firefighters reported the blaze under control at about 8.10pm, but said they would remain on the scene to keep the smoke under control throughout the evening.