A large pile of wood caught fire at around 4.15pm at Mursley Hall Farm Equestrian Centre and at its height five fire crews were on the scene.

A couple of gas cylinders which were near the fire exploded but no one was injured.

A fire crew stayed overnight to continue damping down and to carry out an investigation.

Station manager Geoff Bottle said: "The fire crews were able to contain it to a small area. Most of the horses were in a field and were nice and safe.

"A smoke plume was heading away from the animals so they weren't in any danger."

Jenny Bonham, who owns the equestrian centre with her husband Graham, said they had to cancel riding lessons that afternoon, but it would continue to be business as usual for the equestrian centre.

She said: "The fire caused no trouble for the ponies. Some were in the stables while some were tacked up ready to be ridden.

"The fire crew were excellent - you couldn't fault them. Their first priority was that the people and the animals were safe."