A fire that started in a barn at 7 Davis Road in Durham on Wednesday afternoon destroyed about 40 bales of hay but caused minimal damage to the building.

Durham Fire Chief Bill St. Michel said a spark from a rider lawn mower most likely ignited the hay, which had been stored in the barn.

The barn’s owner was slowed the spread of the fire by using a garden hose, but St. Michel said the fire was getting out of control by the time firefighters arrived.

St. Michel said the property used to be a working farm but no animals are kept there.

The fire was reported around 3:30 p.m. No one was injured.