A FARMER had to drive his tractor into piles of burning straw to protect overhead electricity cables.

The fire began at about midnight on Monday at Smithley Farm near Wombwell in a barn almost full of straw.

At the peak of the fire four pumps were operated by crews from Barnsley, Royston, Tankersley and Brampton. It left nothing but a twisted melted frame, and even melted the plastic guttering of another barn nearby.

By mid morning, fire crews remained and their attention was focused on a stack of straw piled underneath electricity cables.

Crew manager Damien Henderson of Brampton said: “The main problem is the powerlines. Normally all we do with straw is let it burn itself out but we have to be very careful. If too much smoke goes up to the powerlines it can cause electricity to arc between the cables.”

The crews decided it was best to move the stack of straw out from under the powerlines.

The farmer, who did not want to be named, volunteered and drove his tractor into the burning straw dragging it away, which quickly caused flames to rage and thick smoke shrouded the area.

Breaking up the straw got air under it and it burned quickly. As the straw was ruined anyway, this was the quickest and safest way to extinguish the fire.

One fire fighter said: “If we don’t do this and get it burning, we’ll be here until Friday controlling it.”