FIREFIGHTERS from Wellington were along crews from 11 fire stations battling a huge blaze in Uffculme which started on Wednesday afternoon (January 10) and was still live on Thursday morning.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue (DSFR) was alerted by 999 calls to a fire in a three-storey commercial building in Bridge Street and initially sent firefighters from Cullompton, Tiverton, and Wellington, as well as an aerial ladder platform from Taunton and two officers.

The report was that a grinder in a commercial property was on fire on the first floor of the premises.

Some of the 11 fire engines sent to a commercial property blaze in Uffculme.
Some of the 11 fire engines sent to a commercial property blaze in Uffculme. (DSFR)

Crews at the scene quickly requested more help with extra breathing apparatus and the second fire engines from Wellington and Taunton mobilised along with another appliance from Exeter, an incident command unit from Honiton, and two more fire officers.

As the blaze spread the crews used seven sets of breathing apparatus, a hose reel jet, a covering jet, a safety jet, and a hydrant in their battle to control it.

Within about 30 minutes a further two crews from Exeter andTaunton were mobilised to provide more breathing equipment and Western Power engineers were asked to isolate the electricity supply to the premises.

Machinery on the second floor of property caught alight and five more sets of breathing apparatus were used together with three hose reel jets, a safety jet, two thermal image cameras, and a street hydrant.

Bridge Street, Uffculme, was closed because of Wednesday's fire.
Bridge Street, Uffculme, was closed because of Wednesday's fire. (Google Maps)

Steady progress was made as the fire crews liaised with the site’s management to put together a plan and carry out an environmental risk assessment and by the evening they were damping down hot spots.

Bridge Street was closed between the parish church and the turning for Ashill because of the incident and Devon and Cornwall Police officers attended to help traffic management.

A DSFR spokesperson said: “Due to the nature of the fire and the building’s construction we are likely to have a presence there for some time to ensure the site is safe.”