SPECIALIST fire fighters were brought in to deal with a barn blaze in County Durham on Saturday morning amid fears fertiliser stored inside could pose a serious hazard.

Four fire crews were called to the farm at High Haswell at about 7am.

A large, steel-clad barn containing a tractor and trailer and the fertiliser was on fire, and 50 tonnes of straw was nearby.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service sent a senior officer, an Environmental Protection Unit and a hazardous materials team to the scene as a precaution.

A spokeswoman said they found the fertiliser did not pose a hazard.

Two crews from Peterlee are still at the farm, and are expected to remain there for some time.