FIREFIGHTERS tackled a major blaze in a wood yard on Sunday afternoon.

Crews from five stations were called to the M J Wall and Son Wood Yard near Ampleforth, just after 2pm.

Anna Lupton, who owns the nearby Carr House Farm Bed and Breakfast, said she had been returning home when she saw the fire.

“I rang the fire brigade and then tried to get hold of the family,” she said. “It was like a yellow tornado shooting up.

Anna said: “The fire appliances were here within around 12 minute,s but they were hampered by having to travel too far for water.

“Thankfully no-one had been hurt and there wasn’t any wind as the fire was only 40 yards or so from the house.

“We really now need to lobby to get more water hydrants at the side of our roads.”

Kieran Wall, who runs the business with his brother and son, said he had been out at the time of the fire.

“We’ve lost a wagon and around 120 tonnes of timber, but fortunately it didn’t get to the house and we are still able to carry on working.”

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: “Crews from Easingwold and Thirsk attended a large wood pile on fire which was spreading to a heavy goods vehicle.

“Further appliances were requested from Boroughbridge and Pickering and the water bowser attended from Tadcaster.

“The road between Ampleforth and Wass was closed for around five hours to enable fire crews to work safely.”