Fire rips through Weardale farm
TREACHEROUS weather conditions caused problems for firefighters attending a New Year’s Day blaze which destroyed a remote farmhouse.
Passing neighbours raised the alarm after noticing flames coming from Bowlees Farm, near Wolsingham, at about 10pm.
But hours of heavy snow meant that when the fire brigade arrived to tackle the fire at the converted family home and holiday cottage, teams were unable to get the attending appliances up a steep farm track.
Farming couple Emma Robinson and Michael Radford, who were on their way back to Lanchester and made the emergency call, waited for the firefighters to arrive and were able to ferry the men, and equipment, up the dangerous track.
John Robson, group manager of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, who attended the blaze, said by the time the team got to Bowlees Farm the fire had taken hold of the main building. He said: “Our initial concern was getting anyone out of the building and get the fire under control.”
The owners of the property, Tony and Vivienne Smith, were away on holiday in Egypt with their nine-year-old son, Jonathan and after hearing the news, were said to be desperately trying to find a flight back.
Mr Robson said: “After establishing there was nobody in the building, our job was to save what we could.
“But because there were no lives at risk, there is no way we would put our men’s lives at risk. So we set about saving the outbuildings and what we could of the conversion.”
Mr and Mrs Smith bought the former pig farm in 2004 and transformed the farm, and two existing cottages, into a family home and an exclusive holiday property.
The new retreat boasted a pool room, large jacuzzi, sauna and an indoor swimming pool, but despite the crew’s best efforts, the main property was destroyed.
However, nine-year-old Jonathan’s two pet rabbits were rescued from the blaze.
Firefighters, from across the county, continued to tackle the blaze into the early hours of the following morning and an appliance remained at the scene throughout the next day.
Mr Robson praised the locals who helped them and said: “The firefighters worked tremendously well and we used nearby resources including the use of water from a nearby farmer and water from the swimming pool at the property.”
The fire was eventually brought under control at about 2.30am.