Property fire

Fire control received a call stating a barn was on fire in the Edithmead area near Highbridge.

Fire control mobilised 2 fire appliances from Burnham-on-Sea, 1 fire appliance and water carrier from Bridgwater along with 2 supporting officers.

Once on scene, crews confirmed a fire involving hay bales in a barn measuring approx. 100ft x 50ft. This barn contained approx 50 tonnes of hay bales. Crews confirmed the on site farmer was removing hay bales to get to the affected area.

Due to the amount of smoke generating from the fire, crews donned breathing apparatus and due to this requested a fourth appliance which came from Cheddar fire station.

Update at 21:26 - Crews were using 2 breathing apparatus, 1 CAFS jet and 1 hose reel jet. Crews were attacking and containing fire to original seat of fire. Crews were still working alongside the farmer who was using their telehandler to remove hay from the barn.

Further update - crews increased breathing apparatus to 4 breathing apparatus wearers, 2 CAFS jet and 1 hose reel jet. Water was being supplied by the water bowser and an open water source near to the incident.

Due to continual use of breathing apparatus, the incident commander requested the incident support unit from Martock to attend to provide spare cylinders.

Update at 22:16 - farmers were now at work with 2 telehandlers removing unaffected hay bales. This has now enabled the crews to reach the original seat of fire. Crews still at work with 4 breathing apparatus wearers, 2 CAFS jet and 1 hose reel jet.

Final update - crews confirmed the barn measured approx. 40m x 20m. The crews extinguished the fire using 4 wearers, 2 CAFS jet and 1 hose reel jet. 50 tonnes of hay was 25% damaged by fire. Crews confirmed this to be accidental ignition.