A DISTRAUGHT farmer who caught a group of youths in the act of lighting a fire in his fields has warned youngsters about their “stupidity”.

Four fire crews battled a blaze for over an hour at a farm on the outskirts of Darlington after emergency services were called to the suspected arson attack.

The fire, which was started shortly before 5.45pm on Thursday evening (August 18), required firefighters and engines from Darlington and Newton Aycliffe to bring the blaze under control.

The Northern Echo: Field on fire at a farm off Staindrop Road, near Darlington.

The farm’s owner and Darlington and County Durham Fire and Rescue Service bosses have described the act as a serious incident, which is being treated as suspicious by Durham Police.

The farmer, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “I was on another field about a mile or so away and one of the lads on the farm phoned me to say there was a bunch of kids playing around on the bales.

“I went over because I know what kids are like, and they ran off as soon as they saw me.”

The group of youngsters are thought to have returned to the field off Staindrop Road, High Coniscliffe, around half an hour later the set the straw bales alight.

The landowner added that the flames spread quickly across a few acres after photographs of the alleged arsonists were taken and shared on social media thousands of times.

The Northern Echo: Field on fire at a farm off Staindrop Road, near Darlington.

The farm said: “Kids just don't realise the damage they cause. It was a hot day and it just spread so quickly across the stubble.

“It cost me two hours of work, helping the firemen hold the fire back.”

Andy Bruce, Darlington and County Durham Fire and Rescue Service, issued a warning on the potential consequences of fires of this nature.

Mr Bruce said: “While we’re tied up fighting grass fires like last night, fire engines aren’t available to rescue people from house fires.

“If someone was killed as a result of this, we would be treating it as manslaughter. [They] don’t realise the consequences and the impact on the livelihood of the poor farmer, who has lost a substantial amount.”

A Durham Police spokesman confirmed that the force is treating the fire as a suspected arson and is circulating the photographs of a group of youths seen running from the scene in the hope they could be identified.

The farmer added: “Don't play with fire. You don't know the consequences. It's stupidity.”

Anyone with information on the incident can contact the police via non-emergency number 101.