In total, the fire destroyed tyres, straw, wheat, barley, oats, stock feed, a Manitou telescopic handler, a straw chopper, and a Prattley sheep crush. Damage was also done to a Case IH tractor. However no livestock were injured. Mr Alexander commented: "We were lucky as we managed to move livestock into a nearby shed, so that they would not be injured, but unfortunately, we now have no straw left, which is obviously not ideal due to the straw shortage we are experiencing this year." Commenting on the national straw shortage, Alexander added that Northern Ireland has seen a bigger shortage than elsewhere in the UK. "Northern Ireland has been even wetter than the rest of the UK this year, so straw is very scarce and very expensive, so it's going to cost us a lot to replace it," he added. At present, there is no conclusion as to how the fire was started, but Mr Alexander said that he did not suspect anyone of doing it deliberately. Asked if he thought it was connected to the fact it was bonfire night, he commented: "I don't think it could have been related to bonfire night, as the farm sits itself on a long road, so it's unlikely. The cameras haven't picked anyone up, so unless somebody has come round the back of the farm and set the straw alight, I doubt that somebody is to blame." However, four weeks previously, around the same time, and also on a Sunday, a shed on a farm half a mile along the road also went up in flames, which has left police suspicious. Alexander added: "It does seem a bit odd that a fire was also discovered around the same time on the same day four weeks ago, but I'm just hoping it wasn't caused by anyone and that it can be put down to combustion, or something similar." He also commended all of those who helped him put the fire out on the evening: "I would just like to say thanks to all friends and neighbours, and even people we don't know, who have offered their help, both on the night, and since. "Full respect also goes to the firefighters who were on-site for 20 hours straight. I think we sometimes forget the work that these guys do in horrible conditions." The police and fire service are currently still investigating the cause of the fire, and insurance assessors are also investigating in order to establish the cost of the damage. Source - http://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk