THE Christmas lights in Wellington town centre caught fire on Tuesday evening (December 2), just two days after the official switch on.

The fire lasted for around five minutes and occurred on South Street at around 7 pm.

Joseph Welch, who owns Joseph Welch Jewellers, was loading his van on South Street when he witnessed the Christmas lights above him spark.

Joseph said: “I looked up because I heard sparking and saw the Christmas lights on fire with smoke coming from the light above. I could see a flame, molten metal and sparks were falling down onto the road. I was just in disbelief.

“It was a big concern especially as the lights are attached to residential buildings, the fire could have ended up a lot worse.”

He then called the fire brigade who arrived within four minutes.

By the time the fire brigade arrived the fire had put itself out.

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We were called to attend a report of a Christmas light on fire on South Street, Wellington on December 2. One appliance from Wellington Fire Station was dispatched but the fire was out before they arrived. Once it had been checked to ensure the scene was safe, it was left in the hands of the owner.”

Chief executive/town clerk Dave Farrow said, “We were in communication with the fire brigade last night when they were on the scene. We immediately contacted our contractor who is responsible for the lights and they were on site later in the evening, removed the display that had caught fire and made other connected lights safe.

“We are now waiting for a report from our contractor in relation to what caused the fire. We have no reason to believe that there are issues with any other lights.”