PRAISE has been heaped on the "wonderful" work of multiple fire crews who tackled a significant Barrow farm blaze and then subsequent incidents that evening.

Seven crews - including around 40 firefigthers - dealt with a barn fire at Sinkfall Farm, in Rakesmoor Lane on Friday afternoon and for seven hours into the evening. Fire officers also returned the following morning.

Crews from Barrow, Ulverston, Walney, Grange, Millom and Arnside were on site and a water bowser and support pump from

Penrith was also called in to assist.

The fire was contained to the barn and its roof, but it caused a large amount of smoke. During the incident the public were advised to shut their windows as a precaution and because the roof contains asbestos sheeting. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used three main jets, two ground monitors and compressed air foam to bring the blaze under control.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service have said that the fire was cause by a spark from a grinder that was being used on the roof of the cattle barn. No livestock were in the barn or yard.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">0750- <a href="https://twitter.com/Walney_Fire_Stn">@Walney_Fire_Stn</a> mobilised to support <a href="https://twitter.com/BarrowFire">@BarrowFire</a> with Water Supplies at Sinkfall Farm Incident whilst they finish dampening down <a href="https://t.co/4LsytrzyR7">pic.twitter.com/4LsytrzyR7</a></p>— Walney Fire Station (@Walney_Fire_Stn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Walney_Fire_Stn/status/909067440000290816">September 16, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Make pumps 6 and water browser. Please be careful in Dalton bypass area and keep windows shut. Crews working hard using CAF foam <a href="https://t.co/mDiLELoLBb">pic.twitter.com/mDiLELoLBb</a></p>— CFRS (@CumbriaFire) <a href="https://twitter.com/CumbriaFire/status/908687173741932544">September 15, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Two firefighters went into the barn remove an oxygen cylinder. The crews then removed burning material using heavy machinery, assisted by on-site staff. Within the building there was hay and straw, compacted card, diesel and machinery.

Police closed the road to allow the fire crews to access a hydrant from more than a mile away.

Firefighters left the scene just before 8.30pm that evening, but returned to check the scene the next morning.

During the farm fire Broughton crew were on standby in Barrow and they were called out to a number of incidents, including arson incidents. Barrow arsonist poured petrol over cricket club's lawn mowers, court hears

Arnside were also available to respond to other incidents from the farm.

The grateful owner of Sinkfall Farm and the south Cumbria fire commander have praised and thanked the efforts of all the crews involved.

Sinkfall Farm suffered a terrible fire in December 2008, with an inferno destroying the farmhouse and barn. Owner Brian Armistead woke his family and got them out of the house. Mr Armistead, who also operates Sinkfall Recycling, said one fire was bad enough.

Thanking the fire service, Mr Armistead said:"It was a really splendid effort, we are very thankful to all the fire crews.

"They did a wonderful job."

The structure of the barn was being assessed. It should have been being used for cattle in the coming weeks but now an alternative will need to be found.

Stuart Dolan, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service's operational commander for South Cumbria, said: "I'm really proud of the whole team.

"Everyone has played a really big part. The team worked together to keep South Cumbria safe."

Mr Dolan also thanked Barrow Police for their support.