The asbestos roof and the discovery of gas canisters nearby caused concern for firefighters, who set up a secure area around the 40m by 40m building.

Resident Peter Renwick's son raised the alarm at 11.40pm when he spotted the fire from his bedroom window at Crows Hall Farm, on Chilgrove Road.

He, his wife, two sons and the dog were enjoying a quiet evening in when they had to leave and gatecrash a neighbour's party.

Mr Renwick said: "We were just waiting to see the new year in when our son came downstairs and told us. We had the television on and could not hear the flames.

"The neighbours were very kind to look after us.

"There was no way the fire was going to be put out. The fire brigade were superb – they were very well organised."

The barn is rented out for business use as storage areas and workshops. Three of the five blocks were completely destroyed. It eventually burned out around 4am on New Year's Day.

Six fire crews were involved, as were the police who closed off Chilgrove Road until 9am on New Year's Day.

The Environment Agency was involved in the clean-up operation, making sure none of the asbestos contaminated the road. The incident remains under investigation by fire officers.