FIRE crews from across Wiltshire were called to a blaze at a saw mill near Calne which spread plumes of dense black smoke across the countryside.

A total of 13 fire crews battled the fire at Vastern Timber at Studley, near Calne.

Police and fire crews were called to the site on a country lane just after 10am yesterday after it is believed the fire started in an extractor and spread to a storage unit.

A spokesman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service said: "We got the first call at 10.01am. The number of crews was made up after the first ones arrives.

"There were water carriers and a high rise aerial as well other fire appliances. We were asking people nearby to keep their windows closed because of the amount of smoke."

Calne fire station led the operation and command centre was set up at Studley Lane. Crews from Chippenham, Devizes, Marlborough, Swindon, Melksham and Trowbridge were also among those called to the site.

A spokesman from Ramsbury Fire Station said: "Our water carrier attended a commercial property near Calne. Multiple appliances from around the county were in attendance including water carriers, command vehicles and an aerial appliance. Ramsbury water carrier was delivering much needed water to the incident."