A HUGE fire near York is thought to have been started deliberately.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service crews were called to a farm in Rufforth at just before midnight on Tuesday, where about 100 tonnes of baled straw had caught fire.

Three crews attended the scene, as well as a water bowser, and firefighters worked to protect the surrounding buildings as well as extinguish the blaze.

A spokesman said the farmer helped crews spread the straw while it was soaked, using pitchforks and a telehandler, but crews remained at the scene until about 10.30am.

Pictures and video courtesy North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Firefighters were due to revisit the scene on Wednesday afternoon to monitor the situation, and the spokesman said the fire was thought to have been started deliberately, but it was not yet clear whether the police would be involved in an investigation.