Property fire

Fire Control received multiple calls to reports of a vehicle on fire and mobilised one pumping appliance from Ilfracombe. Due to information received from further calls additional pumping appliances were mobilised from Braunton and Barnstaple and also an Aerial Ladder Platform from Taunton.

12:23 Crews requested a further two pumping appliances to attend for additional breathing apparatus and personnel which were mobilised from Combe Martin and Barnstaple Fire Stations.

12:27 Crews confirmed that one vehicle on a garage forecourt was well alight, fire had spread to the forecourt canopy and adjacent shop retail premises. Crews were using four breathing apparatus, two jets and water from a street hydrant.

12:34 Crews confirmed the fire spread to a two storey retail premises with living accommodation above and efforts were being made to contain the fire to the roof space.

13:07 South Western Ambulance Service attending the incident for one female casualty with smoke inhalation.

13:14 Crews confirmed the vehicle fire had been extinguished, efforts were being made to contain the fire to the roof space of an adjacent building. At the time six breathing apparatus, four hose reel jets and two covering jets were being used.

13:32 A request was made for an Environmental Protection Unit to attend the incident which was mobilised from North Tawton Fire Station .

13:44 A request was made for additional pumping appliances to attend for additional personnel. These were mobilised from Woolacombe and Bideford Fire Stations.

14:00 A further update was sent stating a single detached building of two floors measuring approximately 20 metres x 8 metres situated on a petrol forecourt and used as retail shop. First floor incorporating roof space well alight, petrol forecourt currently not affected by fire and fuel pumps isolated. Four breathing apparatus, three hose reel jets and two covering jets in use.

14:55 Steady progress is being made removing roof tiles and contents from the first floor of the property. Crews using two breathing apparatus, one fog spike, two hose reel jets and one jet.

15:35 Steady progress is being made, crews removing contents from first floor. Breathing apparatus has been discontinued, one fog spike and aerial ladder platform in use.

16:53 The final details of the incident have been confirmed as a fire within a private van which spread to a retail building of a petrol station forecourt. The building consisted of two floors and the first floor and roof space were severely damaged by fire. The fire was contained within the retail building. Crews used six breathing apparatus, one aerial ladder platform, four hose reel jets, one ladder, two jets, a thermal imaging camera and a fog spike. The cause of the fire was believed to be accidental.