RESIDENTS had to be evacuated from their homes after a fire at Buttermilk Hall Farm near Buntingford Fire crews were called to the farm, on the A507 Baldock Road between Buntingford and Cottered, today (Wednesday) where a single story farm building was o

RESIDENTS had to be evacuated from their homes after a fire at Buttermilk Hall Farm near Buntingford

Fire crews were called to the farm, on the A507 Baldock Road between Buntingford and Cottered, today (Wednesday) where a single story farm building was on fire. Four crews were sent to the farm at 8.31am where they found that a diesel tank, oxygen and settling cylinders were involved.

The immediate area was evacuated and a 200m exclusion zone was set up. Fire fighters brought the fire under control, and it had been extinguished by 11am.

One local resident told the Crow: "Several people had to be evacuated from their homes because the fire brigade were worried the tanks might explode or that strong winds would cause the fire to spread. They were told it could be up to 24 hours before they are allowed back in."

A spokesman for Hertfordshire Fire service said: "We had to evacuate a couple of properties. The tanks can get very hot and as a result the A507 will remain closed until tomorrow.