A BLAZE ripped through a barn in Corsley on Tuesday sending toxic smoke into the air around homes and the village school.

The fire involved bales of straw and hay at Manor Farm, and fears about the high level of asbestos crackling in the barn roof forced residents to stay indoors with windows and doors shut.

Complications caused by the asbestos meant 60 fire fighters were needed to tackle the blaze, which was still burning the next day.

Fire broke out shortly before 8.30am when a neighbour setting off for work raised the alarm after he saw smoke billowing out of the barn.

Owners of Manor Farm, Sarah and Gerald Dyke have been counting their blessings after the fire avoided nearby bungalows, a church and a school.

Mrs Dyke said: "We were very fortunate.

"There are bungalows next to the barn but luckily the wind was blowing in the other direction.

"There was a lot of smoke but luckily the fire stayed away from the nearby school and church."

Andy Hargreaves, spokesman for Wiltshire Fire Brigade, said: "The risk was not particularly high but as a precaution we recommended local residents kept their doors and windows shut as there was a significant amount of smoke."