A FARMER from Bowlhead Green, near Haslemere, is counting the cost of a suspected arson attack on Saturday night, which left estimated damages of £40,000. The fire, which has prompted a Surrey Police investigation, destroyed a 7,000 sq foot barn, plus farm machinery, straw and fertilizer. Robert Ranson, director of 700-acre Bowlhead Farm told The Herald: "What else can it be but arson? There was nothing electrical up there - it couldn't have been an electrical fault." Surrey Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the blaze at 8 pm on Saturday, but because of the volatile nature of its contents, the fire was not put out until 8-26 am the following morning. Seventeen fire tenders attended the incident at its peak. "I went out to supper to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary in Bordon," remarked Mr Ranson. "Just after 8-20 pm I got a phone call from a neighbour who saw fire and flames coming from the farm. I asked if he had phoned the fire brigade and he said yes. "I rang my young son who lives in Thursley, and he came up and did what he could. "We've had a few fires in the past. You've got to get the machinery out of the way before the flames get it," he said. "There were mowers, balers and other grass, land and forage equipment parked in the shed. Luckily, we managed to save four or five out of a dozen machines," he added. Mr Ranson, a member of Thursley Parish Council and a well-respected figure within farming circles, could not think of any possible motive for the crime. "I haven't upset any individual that I know of. I try to get on with people. Unless it's a pyromaniac. "We've kept fertilizer and straw up there for years, but it has never burned before," he added. Despite the incident, Mr Ranson remains pragmatic. "Fortunately there were no animals involved. The last fire we had, there were calves killed. When you are dealing with fertilizer fires, the fumes are deadly and we were very fortunate that the wind was taking it away from the nearby houses. "We don't need hassle like that. Farming's not brilliant anyway, without that sort of thing. I'm not moaning; life's full of challenges, and here's another one to deal with," he said. The inferno forced police to close several roads, including Beech Hill and the junction with Park Lane, Rutton Hill Road and the junction with Lower House Road, and Bowlhead Green Road on the Beech Hill side of the track. The roads were open again by lunchtime on Sunday. The incident comes two months after two arson attacks at nearby Thursley Cricket Club, which destroyed the pavilion. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to contact the officer on the case, Dc Dick Hunt on 0845 125 2222. Alternatively, calls can be made anonymously and free of charge to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
