FARMERS are being warned to be vigilant as police investigate whether a single arsonist started five fires in just over a week.

In the latest attack on Monday evening, 200 tonnes of hay were destroyed in a barn at Bull Place Farm, Stoke St Gregory.

Firefighters fought the flames overnight into Tuesday morning and took measures to stop oil and diesel tanks going up in flames.

Owners David and Debbie House declined to comment apart from saying all their livestock were led to safety.

Detectives are trying to see if there is a link to four other fires: *in the open in Dyers Road, Curry Rivel, at 11.18pm on Sunday, in which 10 tonnes of hay were destroyed; *in the open in Langport at 10.46pm on Saturday, which saw five tonnes of hay destroyed; *in a barn in Tengore Lane, Langport, at 9.30pm on Sunday, September 21; *a further incident when firefighters were not called out as the fire burned itself out.

A farmer in Stoke St Gregory, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s very worrying.

“We feel like a sitting target. You just wonder, ‘Are we going to be next?’”

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Paul Slaven said: “We have had reports of five deliberate incidents in the area between September 21 and 29.

“We are working with the police and other partners including the National Farmers Union to investigate and to give safety advice to the farming community.”

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said it was too early to say whether the fires were linked.

He added: “We’d appeal to anyone who may have been in the areas of any of the fires with any information to contact Taunton CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online bit.ly/1pwX42m”

NFU South-West spokesman David George said: “Unfortunately farms are isolated and at risk of incidents like this happening.

“I’d urge farmers to keep an eye out and report any suspicious activities or vehicles via 101 or 999 if someone is caught in the act.”