SEVERAL firefighters had to be decontaminated after fighting a barn blaze in which an asbestos sheeting roof was destroyed.

Firefighters were called to the blaze at Low Urpeth Farm, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, at 9.40am yesterday.

Sub-officer Mike Shillock, of High Handenhold fire station, said: "Workers were busy carrying out maintenance work on some equipment using a grinder.

"Sparks ignited waste material and they tried to put it out with an extinguisher, but decided to call in the fire brigade when it got out of control. Shortly before we arrived a diesel tank exploded."

Mr Shillock said when the farmer told them the roof was made of asbestos sheeting, "appropriate measures" were put into place.

Four firefighters with breathing apparatus tackled the blaze, which took about an hour to bring under control. Damage is estimated to run into tens of thousands of pounds.

After the fire, four firefighters had to be decontaminated. Station commander Alan Wray said: "The roof consisted of asbestos cementing, which is of a type which poses a low risk.

"However, we take all steps to protect our firefighters from any risk of exposure."

Firefighters not wearing breathing apparatus for entering the barn, wore special masks.

Those who had entered the barn were cordoned off and approached by men from a decontamination unit, wearing specialised suits.

The firefighters placed their uniforms in water soluble bags, which dissolve when the uniforms are washed.