Road closed and power lines damaged in hay bale fire

A road in Leicestershire has been closed while firefighters battle a "large ongoing blaze" among haybales in a field that has affected overhead electricity lines.

Police said Swannymote Road at Thringstone had been shut between the junctions with Forest Lane and Warren Lane due to the fire, which was reported on Tuesday morning.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said the were called shortly before 06:00 BST and crews from Coalville, Loughborough and Shepshed were currently in attendance, with a relief pump from Wigston also sent to the scene.

The fire has damaged overhead powerlines at the scene and National Grid is attending and attempting to reconnect them, officials said.

Local farmers are using some of their agricultural equipment as part of the co-ordinated response, the fire service confirmed.

Residents in the area are being advised to keep doors and windows shut "to avoid smoke inhalation".

Elsewhere in the county, Leicestershire firefighters have also been in attendance at a grassland fire in Aylestone Meadows.

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