Property fire

This afternoon Fire Control received over 30 calls to a 4 storey derelict hotel on fire at Torrs Park in Ilfracombe. Initially 2 fire appliances from Ilfracombe and Braunton were mobilised but due to the amount of calls received and information coming from them Fire Control increased the attendance by a further crew from Barnstaple and, within minutes of Ilfracombe crew arriving on scene, this attendance was increased by 2 further fire appliances, mobilised from Barnstaple and Lynton, together with a command support unit from Ilfracombe. 

Further assistance messages followed from scene for fire appliances, specialist support vehicles and officers to aid firefighting, prevent the fire spreading to nearby properties and provide incident support. At its peak the incident had 8 fire appliances, a command support vehicle, an aerial ladder platform, 2 water carriers, a welfare vehicle and 8 officers providing specialist skills and supporting roles. 

Update 22:45hrs - This incident is still ongoing and is likely to carry on through the night. Despite crews making good and steady progress, due the condition of the building and extent of the fire, this is now a case of scene and crew safety as the building is in various stages of instability and collapse. The attendance has been reduced to 4 fire appliances and an aerial ladder platform from Hartland, Torrington, Woolacombe, Witheridge and Danes Castle (Exeter). At this time the cause has not been confirmed and further updates will follow when available/relevant.

Update 08:30hrs - We currently have one fire appliance in attendance providing a watching brief, monitoring for hotspots and damping down. 

Update 23:10hrs 23rd April - Combe Martin fire crew have just revisited the property after leaving the scene earlier this evening. They have dampened down the building again and it will smoulder for some time. Further checks will be carried out throughout the night.

We can confirm that the cause of the fire is undetermined.