FIREFIGHTERS believe a blaze that destroyed a large amount of timber was started deliberately.
The fire, at the former Skipton airfield in Sandhutton, near Thirsk, broke out at 6.20pm on Monday in an area of stacked wooden pallets measuring 20 metres by 40 metres.
Crews from Thirsk and Northallerton were called to the blaze, and a water bowser was sent from Boroughbridge.
They spent six hours at the scene.
Carl Boasman, from North Yorkshire Fire Brigade, said it is believed the fire was started deliberately, but said the cause was still under investigation.
He said: "The message we would like to get across is for farmers and business owners to be on their guard against any suspicious activity in the area.
"They need to make sure that their premises are secure at night and that flammable materials are kept at a minimum and are stored away.
"Fortunately, this fire did not spread to any buildings, but they can very easily escalate and serious damage can be done."
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