Firefighters tackle major blaze on Woodbury Common

Fire crews from across Devon and Somerset have been tackling a large gorse fire on Woodbury Common.

The blaze started art around 2pm today (Sunday) and smoke could be seen for miles across Exeter and Haldon Hill.

Twenty appliances were sent to tackle the flames that were fanned by high winds.

The B3180 is closed between Four Firs and Halfway Inn on the A3052.

Members of the public are asked to avoid the Woodbury area while Emergency Services deal with the fire.  

Below is the full report from Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service HQ:

Crews arrived on scene just before 2pm.

In total we have 20 fire appliances in attendance, together with various special appliances including a high volume pump. Crews are at work firefighting from various locations on and around the common to try and bring this fire under control.

7.25pm -  Fire Crews have been tackling the fire throughout the afternoon and confirm this is a large scale fire covering approximately 1 and a half miles of moorland. The area has been evacuated and cordons put in place by the Police. Crews are using 15 Hose Reel Jets, 8 Breathing Apparatus, 1 High Volume Pump, Specialist 4x4 vehicles and 10 Beaters. The incident is now being scaled down to 7 fire appliances whilst crews continue to dampen down hot spots.

10.23pm - There are still 4 Fire Crews on scene tackling a fire front of 50m using beaters, a Hose Reel Jet and 1 Compressed Air Foam Jet.

4:39am - We have now got just the 1 Fire appliance in attendance. Crews are still damping down hot spots and maintaining a watching brief.