A MARRIED couple have been left devastated after one of their barns near Warminster was burnt down while they were away on holiday in a suspected arson attack.


Richard and Petra Ballam were away when fire crews from Warminster, Frome and Pweseyas well as a water carrier from Pewsey were called out to the blaze on Cold Harbour Lane at 6.55pm on Saturday (September 5).


Mrs Ballam said: “We’re away on holiday in Cornwall and only heard about what happened on Sunday.
“This is the second barn fire that we’ve had at Warminster after we had one last April and we’re just in disbelief that it could happen again.


“Unlike the last one which was only a hay shed This one was a cattle shed and thankfully we hadn’t put them in there otherwise it could have been awful.


“My children have been absolutely brilliant in handling the situation, but we are all devastated by it.
“It’s very upsetting and all my husband’s hard work has been taken away.”


Mr Ballam, who has owned the barn and plot of land since 1981, added: “We won’t know the true cost of the damage till we get home but I would have thought it would be in the thousands.”


A large quantity of hay, a trailer, car and farm machinery were destroyed in the blaze with a one pump watch maintained by fire crews until 7.20pm on Sunday (September 6).


A 16-year-old teenage boy has been arrested and released on bail in connection with the fire and two 14-year-olds have been interviewed.


Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.