FIRE crews spent over five hours tackling a "suspicious" blaze at a derelict building on the outskirts of Hereford this weekend.

Three fire crews, two from Hereford and one from Fownhope, plus the water carrier from Peterchurch, were called to Breinton shortly before 4.30am on April 13.

A derelict barn building was well alight.

The fire was fought using a hose reel jet and a main jet, with the incident sectorised and crews dampening it down and checking for hot spots. Live electrics were isolated

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Police were also requested due to the "suspicious nature of the fire", a spokesperson for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said.

Fire crews eventually left just after 10am, with a further inspection taking place at midday to check for hot spots, and the incident was eventually marked as closed at 2.45pm.

We contacted West Mercia Police for comment, with a spokesperson saying that the police force was not currently involved in inquiries.