FIREFIGHTERS were called to tackle a suspected arson incident when a quantity of tyres were found well alight in Hatherleigh at around 9.20pm on Sunday evening.

The crews from Hatherleigh, Holsworthy and Okehampton attended the incident at Rutleigh Ball, where they found a pile of around 200 tyres on fire in open ground that had affected the gable end of an agricultural building containing sheep and cattle. No animals were involved in the fire.

Crews tackled the blaze with two breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets and were helped by the farmer and a telehandler. The fire caused a small amount of damage to the adjoining barn.

The fire was suspected arson and the incident was left in the care of the police.