Abbey Barn Blaze

15 March 2010

Father Bob Rainbow, our Parish Priest in Wellington and Wiveliscombe, reports with dramatic pictures from Prinknash Abbey in Gloucestershire.

Four fire appliances from Gloucester were called when a barn-full of hay was destroyed on the Prinknash Abbey estate near Cranham, Gloucester.

Arriving within 10 minutes of the alarm being raised soon after 4.00 pm., the fire engines included a water tender which was used to transport supplies from a hydrant on the main A46 road, half a mile away, to the abbey farm in the valley below.  

By the time the brigade was on the scene the store, used by a local farmer, to hold fodder for his cattle, was well alight and fire officers stopped the fire spreading to adjacent vehicles and buildings.  These include the workshop where the Abbey’s monks earn some income by producing incense for use in churches all over the country.  Fortunately there were no reports of injury.  It is understood the blaze started accidently with power tools used close to the barn.

Father Bob Rainbow