Four teenagers are helping police with their enquiries into the blaze which caused roughly £80,000 worth of damage
A huge blaze at a farm in Conwy was started in an arson attack.
North Wales Fire and Rescue have confirmed the fire at Brynaiu Farm in Llanrhos, near Llandudno, was "believed to been started through deliberate ignition."
The inferno, which began at roughly 4.30pm on Saturday, caused £80,000 worth of damage and left a hay shed completely destroyed.
Four crews from Colwyn Bay and Llandudno were called to the scene at 4:40pm.
Some crews remained there until Sunday.
Following an investigation North Wales Fire have confirmed they believe the fire was started by arsonists and have been in touch with the police.
On Sunday evening a spokesperson for North Wales Police said four teenagers were assisting the force with their enquiries.
Farm tenant Gareth Howatson told how he found youths hiding in a nearby shed as the inferno raged.
He said: “I had no idea how the fire had been started but there they were, hiding in a shed nearby.
“At the time, I was too shocked to do anything other than tell them to get straight out of there while I called the fire service.
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“Looking back, the youngsters could have been killed. Fire isn’t something to play with, and the consequences here could have been even worse than they are now.”
Mr Howatson, who for the past eight years has rented the farm from Mostyn Estates, estimated that damage worth between £70,000 and £80,000 had been caused by the blaze.
He has thanked locals for coming to his aid on Sunday morning to help start the clearing process.
“The shed’s been completely destroyed as well as everything inside it, including the straw that was being saved for winter,” he said.
“Thankfully, no people or animals were hurt, but its still a devastating thing to happen.
“I’ve had farmers and others coming over and offering to help in any way they could.
“It’s all very comforting despite the circumstances and I’d like to thank them all for their generosity."
Friends of Mr Howatson have set up a crowdfunding page to help him replace the 60 tonnes of lost hay and straw so he can feed his animals.
Within just a few hours, the page had smashed its £300 target and as of Monday morning had raised £1,649.
Hollie Williams, who set up the page, wrote: “Luckily all the animals are safe but they have lost all the food.
“The insurance will cover the loss but the animals need feeding now.
“A small bale of hay is £4. If everyone donated a bale, that would be amazing.”
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/massive-conwy-farm-fire-arson-12137098
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