YOUNG arsonists, who set hay bales on a Wensleydale farm alight, will face prosecution if they are traced as a result of an investigation into the fire.
Crews from Leyburn and Richmond were called to put out the flames, which started in a barn.
They were able to drag the burning bales clear of the building, before tackling the fire with a hose reel.
No animals were involved and the barn was not seriously damaged, but the youngsters thought to be responsible could still have been putting lives at risk.
"The fire was totally unnecessary and tied up resources which may have been needed to save lives if anything had happened elsewhere,'' said North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman, Terry Glover.
"Farmers have had a bad enough time recently and the last thing they need is something like this."
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