Twelve fire crews tackle thatched property blaze

Fire crews are in attendance at a property in Copplestone following a call from the owner saying there was smoke in the kitchen and flames could be seen outside.

The blaze started at 5.06am today (November11) at the thatched house in Clannaborough, Bow, Between North Tawton and Crediton.

The A3072 Beers Hill has been closed to traffic.

An initial 8 pump attendance was mobilised, with crews attending from North Tawton, Crediton, Danes Castle, Chulmleigh, Okehampton and Witheridge, together with a water carrier from Danes Castle and Command Support Vehicle from Honiton.

The current fire report is as follows:

05:03hrs - First impressions confirmed this to be the case, with fire at one end of the property. Crews set to work with compressed air foam to cover the exterior of the property and internal crews carrying out salvaging duties.  

05:55hrs - A request was received for Make Pumps 12, attracting a further 4 fire appliances which were mobilised from Danes Castle, Hatherleigh, Chagford and Middlemoor. We also have our Foam Tender in attendance from Ivybridge, a further Water Carrier from Torquay, Environmental Protection Unit from Newton Abbot, our Welfare Unit from Burnham On Sea, backed up by further welfare equipment from our Urban Search and Rescue Station from Exeter.

Update 08:00hrs - This is a privately owned Grade II listed thatched property measuring 20m x 10m. The roof and first floor are well alight, with crews at work with 6 BA, 2 compressed air foam jets, 1 hose reel jet, 1 main jet, working in 2 sectors. Crews are also protecting another thatched property near by with compressed air foam. Due to low water pressure in the immediate area, which can not be increased due to the size of the mains water pipes, water will be shuttled in by our water carriers from hydrants further away. All crews are still in attendance with a planned relief of 4 fire appliances for 1000hrs. There are no casualties.