THOUSANDS of baby pheasants were killed in a fire that sent gas cylinders hurtling 40 metres through the air.

The birds died as flames ripped through a pheasantry on the edge of the New Forest.

About 8,000 pheasants are thought to have died in the blaze, which broke out in a lean-to at Vidle Van Farm in Lymore Lane, Keyhaven.

A large number of day-old chicks were among the birds that perished in the incident. The other pheasants were about three weeks old.

Fire crews found themselves dealing with gas canisters for the second time in less than 24 hours after a major blaze near the M27 at Hedge End.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service group manager Steve Quinn said: “This is the second rural incident we have attended in two days that has involved portable gas cylinders, which present a serious risk in the community.

“Cylinders can ignite, causing damage over a wide area.”

The blaze was tackled by firefighters from various parts of Hampshire, including Lymington, New Milton and Beaulieu.

Crews cordoned off the building and sprayed the cylinders with water to keep them cool and prevent any further explosions.

They studied the position of the canisters and established that they had travelled more than 40 metres after igniting.

Watch manager Anton Phillips, a rural safety officer based at Eastleigh, said the devices had supplied heaters that kept the pheasants warm.

He added: “The pheasantry had already burned down to the ground when we got there.

“It’s sheer luck that the rest of the building didn't go up as well, but that was down to wind direction. The farmer was very upset at the death of all the birds. He’s got a heck of a mess to clear up.”

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.