A LARGE barn caught fire near Wantage yesterday and about 20 firefighters tackled the flames.

Incident commander Graham Turner said crews from Abingdon, Wantage, Didcot, and Wheatley were called to the blaze at the 15m x 15m barn containing straw shortly after 4pm.

Flames and smoke could be seen from miles around.

Mr Turner said: “It was under control within 30 minutes but firefighters will be monitoring the situation throughout the weekend.”

The restaurant La Fontana, on Hanney Road, East Hanney, is just opposite the barn.

Owner Eugenia Merola, with husband Mattia, said the fire started after she heard a series of “bangs”.

Mrs Merola said: “At about 4.20pm I could hear these big bangs, like fireworks.

“I thought they were having a fireworks display but then my husband said the barn was on fire.

“The building was practically coming down – it all happened very suddenly. ”

All routes around Hanney Road were closed while fire crews dealt with the incident.

The cause of the blaze is not known.