A FARMER has told of his shock after a massive blaze ripped through a barn, destroying his lifetime’s collection of vintage buses along with machinery and tractors.

Adrian Leighfield described how an explosion in a tractor parked in the entrance led to the fire which reduced his prized Leyland coaches to black and charred wrecks.

Villagers raced to help him save animals and vehicles from the burning building in Grittenham, near Royal Wootton Bassett, as sparks flew overhead.

Mr Leighfield, who had been indoors at 10pm on Monday night, said: “There was a massive great explosion and a great big bang.

“I looked out of the window and there was tractor half in and half out the building where I keep my machinery and coaches. It looked like an orange fireball.

“It was such a shock.”

Two fire crews are still in attendance at Grove Farm this morning and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

The blaze took hold in a 40x15m barn, which contained a large quantity of hay and straw along with machinery and four old buses.

Appliances from Westlea, Malmesbury and Royal Wootton Bassett attended along with water carriers from Royal Wootton Bassett and Pewsey Crews used a light portable pump, a hose reel and two main jets.