Lancashire Fire and Rescue launched 'Operation Merlin' shortly before 2pm after it was feared the fire at Bolton Fold Farm at Alston could spread to asbestos roofing at the premises, where five tonnes of straw were stored.

Ann Forshaw, of Ann Forshaw's Dairy said firefighters did "a marvellous job" in preventing the fire from spreading to the roof of the open sided barn at the family owned farm, which adjoins the dairy.

Grateful that no-one was was hurt and that the animals had also been well away from the blaze, she said: "The fire service did a marvellous job. I think they are marvellous people. They also came back late that night to check everything was OK and again on the Sunday morning. They really have been fantastic."

Ann said the fire had been "a sheer accident," caused by sparks from a saw being used by her son Stephen who was repairing a trailer nearby.

He was wearing safety goggles and did not immediately see that the sparks were setting fire to the straw.

As emergency services were called, she said her son and other staff were able to get some of the big, round, burning bales of straw out of the barn and into a heap in a nearby field, which they were doing when the fire crews arrived.

Ann said the fire had not affected business at the dairy, which was well away from the barn in question.

"The farm buildings cover four acres and there are ten buildngs around the back," said Ann, adding that a few of the barn's asbestos roofing sheets had been damaged.

She had no idea of the cost of the damage, which was now in the hands of insurers.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue said five fire crews from Longridge, Fulwood, Preston and Blackburn with 25 firefighters on board, raced to the scene.

Five appliances had been required so that water to tackle the blaze could be relayed from its source to the incident.

He confirmed that Operation Merlin - the emergency operation status - was declared because of the fear of contamination from the asbestos roofing.

He said eight firefighters had to use breathing apparatus to get into close proximity of the 10m by 30m barn, making their way through swirling, thick smoke.

Although police, the ambulance service and the council are also informed when 'Operation Merlin' is declared, he said contamination did not prove to be an issue on this occasion so their assistance was not required. However, the firefighters' clothing had been bagged up to receive specialist cleaning.

A spokesperson for Longridge police - who were amongst the first at the scene - said one of their roles had been to ensure the fire engines did not block the road. He added that the fire had been controlled within half an hour.