FIRE chiefs feared the prospect of a huge explosion yesterday after a barn filled with fertiliser burst into flames.

Last night the cause of the blaze near Wrexham was under investigation with the possibility that it was started deliberately not ruled out.

Six fire crews spent nearly two hours battling the fire in Darland Lane, Rossett, just after 2pm.

The 30ft x 100ft farm building contained stacks of tyres as well as 10 tons of hay and fertiliser.

The Environmental Protection Unit was sent to the scene as a precaution after fears the place could blow up.

Three pumps from Wrexham and two from Deeside were deployed, as well as the water ladder from Chester and the Incident Command Unit from Colwyn Bay.

An eye witness said flames raged close to another barn filled with hay.

A North Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said crews were made aware of the contents of the barn and needed to take extra care in the way they tackled the blaze.

She said: “Six pumps were called to the scene at 2.18pm because the barn contained ammonium nitrate (fertiliser) and crews thought they would need more resources.

“The fire was brought under control by 3.53pm but the building suffered extensive damage.”

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, North Wales fire crews were called to tackle a blaze at a well-known hotel near Dolgellau.

An electrical fault sparked the fire at the Cross Foxes Hotel close to the A470, believed to be on the first floor.

The building is derelict and was under renovation.

Four pumps, including one from Dolgellau and others from Bala, Barmouth and Machynlleth, rushed to the scene at 1.50pm.

The fire was extinguished at 3.50pm.

A fire spokeswoman said: “One bedroom was severely damaged by fire, the first floor was severely damaged by smoke and the second floor suffered light smoke damage.

“The fire was caused by an electrical short circuit.”

A WOMAN was last night given a precautionary check up after a fire at her home.

Firefighters used four breathing apparatus and two hose reels to extinguish the inferno in Heol Llewelyn, Coedpoeth, just after 7.50pm. The fire started in the ground floor of the two-storey detached house.

The woman was treated at the scene by paramedics as a precaution.