Eight crews tackle thatch fire

Eight fire engines from Witheridge, Chulmleigh, Crediton, North Tawton, Exeter, Tiverton, Okehampton along with a water carrier, aerial appliance and an incident command unit were mobilised to reports of a thatched roof on fire at a property at Oldborough Cross near Morchard Bishop this morning (Thursday 16 April).

On arrival crews confirmed thatch roof involved in fire and are at work using hose reel jets and ladders to extinguish the fire.

At 12.45pm crews asked for a further two appliances. These were mobilised from standby at Exeter.

The property measures 20mx10m crews using four breathing apparatus and four hose reel jets to extinguish the fire. Crews are also using ladders to assist them with this.

A telehandler was requested to assist with removing thatch.

Update 5pm:

Fire control received a stop message for the incident.

Crews created a fire break in the thatch roof but the fire did, unfortunately, spread to an adjoining property, causing 25% damage to their thatched roof.

Crews used three ladders, five hose reel jets, four breathing apparatus and a thermal image camera to check for fire spread.

All crews have left the incident and duty of care is left with the owner.