PICTURES: ‘Absolute inferno’ as hay barn is engulfed in flames after tractor catches fire

SIOBHAN Costello got a frantic phone call at 9.14pm on Sunday night from a lady, living in a house they own in west Limerick, saying that the adjacent hay barn was on fire.

Siobhan looked out the window from her home, two fields away in Moig North, Askeaton, and saw the height of the flames in the night sky.

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She and husband Morgan raced over to their farm, immediately assisted the woman and let cattle out of a slatted shed.

“It was an absolute inferno,” said Siobhan. Their big concern was that a diesel tank would explode and destroy the house and other farm buildings.

At 9.30pm the first fire crew arrived. In total, there were seven fire brigades and over 20 firefighters from Foynes, Rathkeale and Newcastle West. Over the next seven hours they managed to save the dwelling house and slatted shed.

“They got here so fast. I can’t stop telling people how professional and exceptional they were - seven hours holding those hoses, 200,000 litres of water was used. 

“You could see their backs were hurting from holding the hoses and the pressure of the water. We are just in awe of them,” said Siobhan, who was speaking on behalf of herself and Morgan.

The firefighters got great back-up from the Costellos, their family, friends and neighbours. Siobhan also thanked John Hewson for his hours spent moving  burning bales of silage and hay to a field and Oliver Ranahan for the use of his tractor.

The Costellos' tractor is believed to have self-combusted with the flames spreading to nearby wood cut by Morgan and neatly bagged up.

“John was at it for hours, going into the burning shed, picking up the burning silage and hay with the tractor and taking it out. 

“Firefighters were putting water on the tractor to stop the tractor going on fire. If they didn't move all the silage it could have reignited at any time because it is still smouldering away and the house would be under threat,” explained Siobhan.

After seven hours, the fire was extinguished, house and other buildings saved, and the farm yard made safe. 

The Costellos lost their hay barn, tractor and machinery including a topper, mower, hay turner and trailer.

However, Siobhan says the main thing is that nobody was hurt and all the animals are fine. She and Morgan thanked the heroic firefighters, their kind neighbours, friends and family. 

“We really want to thank people from the bottom of our hearts,” said Siobhan. They have already been offered replacement fodder for the winter.

For more pictures of the shocking fire, click 'Next'