Property fire

Crews from across North Devon have been busy tackling a large fire tonight at The Old Dairy on Rolle Road in Torrington. Fire Control started receiving calls at 1830hrs reporting large amounts of black smoke and flames issuing from one of the side buildings at the derelict site. 3 fire appliances from Torrington and Bideford were initially mobilised. 

Within minutes of our Torrington crew arriving on scene they requested the attendance of an Aerial Ladder Platform and Water Bowser, which were mobilised from Barnstaple, as the fire had spread to the roof space. At 1916hrs the attendance was increased by a further 3 fire appliances to assist with firefighting as the building is so large and the approach to tackling the fire needed to be in sectors. 

As of 2330hrs this incident is still ongoing and will be for some time. Further updates will follow but for now crews are making good and steady progress. 

Update at 0730hrs - This incident is now complete and all appliances have come away from the scene. The fire, which was started deliberately, was brought under control at 0220hrs, with crews using 1 hose reel jet, 2 main jets, a fogging unit, ladders and thermal imaging equipment to extinguish it. Attending stations were....

• Fire appliances from Torrington, Bideford, Appledore, Hatherleigh, Barnstaple, Witheridge, North Tawton and Okehampton 
• Aerial Ladder Platform from Barnstaple 
• Water Bowser from Barnstaple 
• Command Support Unit from Ilfracombe 
• Welfare Appliance from Crediton 
• Supporting officers for Hazardous Materials knowledge and Command Support 

The incident was scaled down during the course of the early hours with a re-inspection of the site taking place at 0700hrs this morning. All crews have now come away from scene and these are the full and final details.