FIREFIGHTERS have now left the scene of the major barn blaze in Ashey, which first started yesterday morning (Monday) and saw around 600 hay bales involved.

At 11.44am, around 40 firefighters were called following reports of a barn alight on Ashey Road near Ryde.

On arrival, crews found smoke and flames coming from the roof of a barn, with a tractor and hay bales also involved.

Ryde, Newport, Sandown, Ventnor and Cowes fire engines were all called to the scene, together with support vehicles from East Cowes, Freshwater, and a command unit from Portchester.

Crews from Southsea and St Mary’s were moved across the Solent to standby at stations to provide fire cover on the Island, while a Havant fire engine was sent across as a relief crew to assist later in the evening.

The fire was tackled with jets and hose reels, as firefighters wore sets of breathing apparatus and used drag rakes and beaters.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service's Manitou vehicle was also in attendance, removing hay and straw affected by the fire.

Overnight, the incident was scaled down to two pumps, who remained to work alongside the owner to dampen down the scene.

Road closures have since been lifted, and a crew will return to the scene later this evening to conduct a reinspection and check for any further hotspots.

Fire crews stood down at around 1pm this afternoon (Tuesday).