'Explosions' in Bashley as large stable fire breaks out

A LARGE fire erupted this afternoon (Tuesday) at stables in Bashley with one witness describing "explosions" so loud they "thought it was a bomb".

Firefighter crews from New Milton, Beaulieu and Lymington are dealing with the blaze in St John’s Road, a spokesperson for Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service said.

The incident began at about at 4.40pm this afternoon, the spokesperson said, describing the affected building as "well alight".

Jim Brennan, who lives opposite the stable in Saint Johns Road, said the explosion was so loud he thought a bomb had gone off.

He told the A&T: "We were sitting having a cup of tea and there was a loud explosion, which I guess was a propane cylinder, and then another one went off.

"Someone rushed over there after the first one and let the horses out of the stables and while she was there the other propane cylinder went off.

"I thought it was a bomb - someone digging up ordnance. It was huge, followed by a less loud explosion.

"The horses were uncontrollable and went up the lane and onto the main road before being rescued and put in another field."