CONCORD TWP — State police have launched an investigation into a suspected arson that caused 20 large hay bales to go up in smoke early this morning.

The deliberately set fire occurred shortly before dawn on Chuck Porter’s horse and cow farm on McKinney Road in Concord Township, authorities said.

Porter was home when he discovered the blaze, which he did not initially see.

“He smelled it,” Chief Reid Campbell of the West Sunbury Volunteer Fire Department said of Porter, who called for help about 5:25 a.m.

A team of firefighters made its way to the secluded road near Campbell Road where they found numerous round bales of hay on fire. The bales were not far off the road.

It didn’t take long for fire officials to begin doubting the blaze was an accident.

“There were tire tracks leading into the field,” Campbell said, “and foot prints around (the bales).”

Authorities believed there were two different sets of footprints. Campbell immediately notified police.

Trooper Dwayne Baird, a deputy fire marshal, arrived a short time later and confirmed Campbell’s suspicions that the fire was intentionally set. Police are investigating.

Baird did not immediately return a telephone call.

Damage was estimated at $800, based on the $40 value for each hay bale.

During the fire fight, a loader was used to separate the burning bales. But there was little else firefighters could do.

“The bales will burn the rest of the day,” Campbell said. “It’s layer after layer of hay, and it’s impossible to put out.”