ARSONISTS are believed to have started a large barn fire that caused the closure of a main road in Derbyshire.
The blaze started in a farm building off Main Road, close to Smalley crossroads, at about 7.50pm last night.
The fire service say they received numerous calls and the barn was well alight when firefighters arrived.
A crew from Nottingham Road, Derby, and a crew from Ilkeston began tackling the blaze in the barn which is believed to have contained hay.
It took several hours for firefighters to bring it under control.
Police officers were also on the scene to close the road and deal with diverting traffic as smoke billowed across the carriageway and emergency vehicles blocked the road.
A fire service spokesman said: "The initial call came in at 7.47pm and crews did not leave the scene until 6.45am this morning."
Once the fire was in hand the crews stayed on the scene to keep dousing the smouldering wreckage and prevent anything from reigniting.
A silver van was also destroyed in the incident, which led to the closure of the road at about 9pm.
Drivers in the area were seemingly unaware of the blaze, with Derby Telegraph reader Sonia Sandhu writing on the paper's Facebook page: "That explains why I couldn't get home tonight! Detour through Horsley Woodhouse, hope all is well."
This morning a joint investigation was started by Derbyshire Fire and Rescue and police, who announced later that they believed the blaze was started deliberately.
Officers are now appealing for anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area during the evening before the fire to get in touch.
Witnesses or anyone with information should call Derbyshire police on 101, quoting crime reference 37145/14.
You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
