FIREFIGHTERS SPENT THREE hours on Sunday battling to prevent a farmyard blaze from spreading as bales of hay caught alight in Mosstodloch.
Crews were called to Stynie Farm at around 1pm after it is believed a toddler spotted flames and informed his parents. By the time fire crews arrived at the scene around 500 hay bales were already ablaze, prompting farm owner Alan Durno to estimate the loss to be valued at around £4000.
Mr Durno said that by the time he reached the scene all he could do was stand and watch as the hay burned.
Police also attended the scene and a spokesman said that there was evidence the fire had been started deliberately: “The fire service has suggested this may have been a wilful fire which indicates there may be a criminal element.
“It has been allocated for investigation and that will be conducted jointly with the fire service.”
Fire crews from the Elgin and Fochabers stations were called to the blaze and remained for three hours. Power to nearby properties was cut at one point as firefighters feared that the flames were encroaching close to overhead power lines.