FIRE ripped through a barn in Froxfield on Monday, destroying 500 tonnes of hay and straw.

Firefighters were called to Bensgreen Farm when the blaze burst through the barn roof.

Partner at the farm, Mike Ellis, was within 100 yards of the building when the fire broke out but did not notice anything as he moved cattle down the road.

He described a "machine gun-like" noise as the flames finally exploded through the roof of the barn, sending debris everywhere.

He said: "It was a massive, deafening sound and parts of the barn shot off into the air.

"We all rushed to see what was going on and managed to get a tractor and a few other bits of machinery out.

"We even started to get some of the hay out but it got too dangerous. In the end I think we rescued about 12 bales.

"Unfortunately we lost most of the straw and hay as well as a silage harvester, a baler and some other equipment."

Under controlled conditions, firefighters allowed the blaze to continue until the flames had completely consumed the hay.

Two crews from Petersfield tackled the blaze with firefighters from Horndean, Liphook, Alton, and Bordon.

A special equipment unit from Winchester and a water carrier from Bordon were called to Bensgreen Farm. It took 30 firefighters and three officers to manage the blaze.

Petersfield sub-officer Ken Hampson said no one knows how the fire started.

He said: "When we got there the fire was already well on its way. We tried to tackle it at first but it got too dangerous so we decided to contain it and let it burn.

"To do this we surrounded the blaze and kept the metal framework of the building cool so it wouldn't buckle."

Mr Ellis said the insurance company had already been out to inspect the damage to the machinery. A structural engineer would inspect damage to the barn.

He said: "The barn is in a bad state. Half the roof has been destroyed and I think it will take more than a few rafters to repair the damage.

"But the problem will be with the loss of hay and straw. The farm is an organic farm and it will be difficult to get hold of more hay."