A FARMER received threatening telephone calls just hours before a caravan and stable block were torched at Beech Tree Paddocks, Buckland Road, Newton Abbot.

The fire occurred around 9.15pm on Monday.

Newton Abbot and Torquay firefighters found several liquid petroleum gas cylinders standing against the wall of a store burning at the rear of a stable.

And they realised an urgent need to release hundreds of birds and animals trapped inside.

Fire officer Robbie Woods, group manager for South Devon and Dartmoor East, said the livestock was trapped ­ l From page 1

within pens in the building which was becoming smoke logged.

'It was a chaotic scene initially, trying to herd the birds and animals 30 yards across the farmyard. Fortunately there was an open paddock that the crews shepherded them into, though some had to be segregated.

'I thought the crews worked particularly hard and did an incredible job. In the end it was a happy ending all round,' said Mr Woods.

All the birds and animals – 150 ducks, 200 ducklings, 13 large pigs, 40 piglets, three geese and three rabbits – were rescued along with the two farm dogs, springer spaniel Bruno and cocker spaniel Dougal.

The blaze – firefighters were at the scene until 2.30am – destroyed a caravan which was used as a rest room, badly damaged the store and caused smoke logging to the stable block.

Colin Johnson, 72, whose son Ian mainly runs the farm, said police were investigating the calls he received on Monday afternoon.

He said the fire had started in two separate places – in the caravan and the workshop at the back of the stables.

'Ian had just come home at about 9pm and had a cup of tea and there was a hammering on the door and someone saying the stable was on fire.

'The firefighters did a magnificent job in containing it and getting the birds and animals to safety.

'I also want to thank the dozen or so neighbours and volunteers who rallied around to help,' said Mr Johnson.

He said the fire was clearly arson because it started in two places some 30 yards apart.

'It was a really malicious act. They went into the feed room and cut all the feed bags open. That is a pointless thing to do,' said Mr Johnson.

This week fire officers and police were sifting through the debris while they carried out investigations into the cause, which they say is of 'doubtful origin'.

At the beginning of the year rustlers stole 65 pigs, worth £2,600, from the farm – an ongoing misery for the Johnsons, whose farm has been hit by thieves more than 30 times in five years.