AN arson investigation is underway tonight as more than a dozen straw bales were set on fire at a Ferryhill farm.
Firefighters from Newton Aycliffe tackled the blaze at the farm on Gypsy Lane after being called just before 1pm.
Newton Aycliffe Fire Station Watch Manager, Giles Mercy, attended the scene and confirmed one unit had spent three hours tackling the blaze with the help of the farmer who brought in a mechanical digger.
He said: "There were 18 large bales of straw on fire in the farmer's field.
"It's believed that some children were setting it alight and we were there for about three hours tackling the fire."
A police spokeswoman also confirmed Durham Constabulary will be investigating the incident.
If you have any information call the police on 101.
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