FIREFIGHTERS saved a farm from disaster after battling a 'large' barn blaze thought to have been started by lightning.

Six fire engines raced to Rollinson House Farm in Little Scotland, Blackrod, after some of the hay caught fire at around 5am yesterday.

The farm's owners had woken up to thick black smoke coming out of one of the barns at the rear of the property, where the hay and silage was being stored.

AS IT HAPPENED: Firefighters battling large blaze on farm

The fire had spread to an adjacent barn but was contained inside the buildings by the firefighters who managed to put it out later in the morning.

Nobody was injured in the blaze and the damage was not severe.

Brian Halton, who owns the farm along with brothers Alan and Robert, said: "It was around 5am this morning when I looked out the window and saw black smoke coming from one of our barns.

"The wind was blowing north west so luckily it was blowing away from the house.

"You could not go into the barn because of the smoke. The firefighters have done an amazing job. They were here and straight on it."

The fire followed a bad lightning storm the night before and Horwich Fire Station watch manager Glyn McGann said it is 'possible' a lightning strike had caused the blaze.

Mr McGann said: "At around 5am, we were dispatched to Rollinson Farm in Little Scotland to reports of a barn fire.

"Upon attendance, we saw some of the hay had caught fire and it was well alight.

"Two areas of barn were affected so initially, after the fire spread to the adjacent barn, we attacked the fire using hose reels.

"We have not determined the cause but it is thought to be natural. It is possible it was caused by the lightning storm.

"The crews have worked hard in very thick smoke and a raised platform to make it in and save 100 per cent of the building and the majority of the silage."

The fire engines came from Horwich, Bolton Central, Hindley, Atherton, Wigan and Chorley.

An investigation is being undertaken to confirm the cause of the fire.