Fifteen crews fight thatch roof fire

Crews from 15 Devon fire stations are fighting a thatch roof fire in Bondleigh.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service received a call to attend the home, where the roof was alight, just after 6pm on Wednesday evening.

Straight away eight fire engines from nearby locations along with various special appliances responded.

On arrival it was clear that the roof was well alight and crews used a hose reel jet to start tackling the blaze.

Soon after crews were using two compressed air foam jets, a hose reel jet and two breathing apparatus wearers along with ladders. The water supply was being supported by a nearby hydrant.

Judging the scale of the fire, four further engines were requested to assist crews on scene, these arrived from Barnstaple, Exeter, Moretonhampstead and Torrington.

By 9.20pm firefighting operations were underway both inside and outside the house and resources from fifteen stations are involved. Meanwhile other stations from Devon and Somerset are providing standby cover across the area.