A quick-thinking farmer cut off a gas supply to stop a fire engulfing a barn.

Firefighters praised Duncan Bell’s actions after they were called out to Warwick Hall, Westnewton, near Aspatria on Friday.

When they got there, at about 12.30pm, they found that a portable silo, which contained around 10 tonnes of grain, was well alight.

Paul Dean, watch manager of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, said that he believed the silo, which blows hot air to dry the grain, had overheated.

Crews from Aspatria and Maryport stopped the flames from the silo, which was inside a barn, spreading to nearby bales of straw.

They found Mr Bell had disconnected the gas supply before they arrived.

Mr Dean said: “He did a really good job, alerting us quickly and then isolating the gas and switching the tractor off because that provides air as well."

Firefighters also had to cut into the silo, which was 20ft tall, to remove the burning grain before dismantling it.

Mr Duncan said he only became aware of the fire after being alerted by a passer-by who was out walking their dog.