A VICTIM of one of the six arson attacks on barns in the Teignbridge area has been mystified by the motive behind the devastating blaze.

Farmer Arthur Wrayford surveyed the smoking ruin of the twisted metal structure at Higher Wotton, Denbury, and declared: ‘It’s difficult to know who started it or why – but we have our suspicions.

‘I don’t know whether it’s just arsonists or a warped animal rights person.’

Mr Wrayford, 67, immediately thanked neighbours who had rallied round to replace hay destroyed in the New Year’s Day inferno.

His biggest upset was seeing his favourite D-reg tractor swallowed up by the flames within seconds of the fire being discovered.

‘There is nothing the police can do. Once these offenders set the barn on fire they were gone,’ he said on Wednesday.

He admitted the run of barn fires across the district – two in Compton and others in Kingskerswell, Stokeinteignhead and most recently in Lower Dawlish Water – had the farming community in a state of some anxiety.

‘It has got a lot of people worried,’ he revealed.

‘I am afraid to get a new lorry load of hay and store it just in case they come back,’ he added.

Police this week confirmed inquiries in to the half-dozen barn blazes in the last six weeks had included possible animal rights involvement.

But a spokesman insisted that it was not thought the attacks could be linked to any politically motivated activists.

‘There is nothing to indicate at this stage any involvement of an animal rights group or individual,’ he said.

The National Farmers’ Union is of the same mind.

A spokesman said: ‘We are not aware of any connection. Usually these people seek publicity. It appears somebody might have a problem – and is making a nuisance of themselves.’

Mr Wrayford said the alarm was raised as members of his family left the farm after celebrating the new year together.

‘My son got round the corner and saw a glow in the barn. By the time he told us the fire was huge,’ said Mr Wrayford who heaped praise on firefighters who came to the rescue.

‘They were very good, but there was nothing they could do to save the barn.’

The fire was spotted just after 9pm. The last firefighting crew left nearly seven hours later.

Mr Wrayford said it was obvious that someone had sneaked in and set the place alight.

‘The gate to the barn is always closed when I finish working – but when we got to the barn it was open,’ he said.