TWO families in a village near Wellington lost everything when their homes were destroyed by fire on Friday night (July 17).

Firefighters from 12 different stations were called to tackle the blaze in Oake Close, Oake, shortly after 9.15 pm.

The fire was believed to have spread from a garden and consumed a pair of semi-detached houses, destroying them together with garden sheds and fences.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue (DSFR) warned people to avoid the area and said residents living nearby should stay indoors with doors and windows closed because of the smoke.

Nobody was hurt in the incident as the families and neighbours were evacuated with the help of Oake’s community emergency response team (CERT) volunteers, who were supported by parish councillors.

Residents were taken to Oake, Bradford and Nynehead Primary School, where headteacher Becky Barnes stayed on to support them.

Fire crews from Wellington were among the first of three to reach the scene and immediately called for support.

In a separate incident on Friday nearly 13 acres of crops just outside Taunton were destroyed by fire.
In a separate incident on Friday nearly 13 acres of crops just outside Taunton were destroyed by fire. (DSFR)

DSFR mobilised five more engines, including an aerial ladder platform and a water bowser, as the firefighters prevented the flames from spreading to other properties.

It was nearly 3 am on Saturday before the fire was out, and two crews remained on site for the rest of the night.

At its height, appliances attended from Wellington, Wiveliscombe, Taunton, Bridgwater. Dulverton, Bampton, Cullompton, Tiverton, Street, Williton, Ilminster, and Martock.

Villagers on social media expressed thanks to the firefighters and relief the blaze was stopped from spreading in the tinder dry conditions.

Kelly Day, who lives opposite, said: We honestly thought it would spread to us.

“Huge thanks to all the emergency services who acted so quick but also supported all residents.

“Also, thanks to Oake Parish Council whose support was amazing and to the lovely headteacher who remained at the school to support all of us that were evacuated.

“Thoughts to those who lost their homes.”

Sharron Slade said: “Thankfully, nobody was hurt and all evacuated in time.

“The fire service responded quickly.

“The local community emergency response team consisting of local residents were also quick to respond and assist the services.

“The community truly came together.

“Our thoughts and support now go to the two families that sadly have lost their homes.”

Also on Friday, Wellington’s firefighters were involved in an operation to tackle a blaze which almost completely destroyed 13 acres of standing crops on the edge of Taunton.

The fire had a 330 feet front but the crews were able to prevent it spreading to neighbouring properties and fields.

A DSFR spokesperson said the past week had been the brigade’s busiest in nearly four years with 1,936 calls, ‘almost one every five minutes, 24 hours a day, for an entire week’.

They said: “During the same period, our crews attended 813 incidents, including 226 fires, an average of one incident every 12 minutes.

“We have also seen an increase in calls to help the ambulance service gain entry to properties as the heat affects some of the most vulnerable in our communities.”