Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have been working tirelessly to control a wave of fires sparked by soaring temperatures and parched landscapes across the two counties.
The series of incidents began shortly after midnight on Saturday with a house fire in Plymstock, Plymouth. Firefighters from Greenbank and Plymstock stations responded quickly to flames engulfing the first floor of the home, deploying eight breathing apparatus sets, three hose reel jets, and two safety jets to contain the blaze.
At 4 a.m., crews from Torquay, Paignton, and Newton Abbot tackled a fire at the closed Occombe Farm tourist attraction in Devon. The response involved four fire engines, an aerial ladder platform, and a water bowser. Despite their efforts, flames destroyed the cookery school building as firefighters strove to stop the fire from spreading to adjacent structures and grasslands.
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Later, at around 8:30 a.m., fire teams from eight stations across Devon and Somerset were mobilized to a scrap yard blaze on Clovelley Road, Bideford. The road was closed both ways as units from Barnstaple, Ilfracombe, Appledore, Bideford, Hartland, South Molton, Torrington, and Danes Castle worked to extinguish the fire. Due to environmental concerns, an environmental protection unit and supporting appliances were deployed from South Molton.
Around 11:40 a.m., crews from Barnstaple, Chulmleigh, Combe Martin, and Woolacombe responded to a fire at a derelict building in Ilfracombe.
These fires come on the back of numerous grass and crop fires in rural areas of Devon and Somerset, prompting urgent warnings from fire authorities. Particularly vigilant are warnings against barbecues—especially disposable types—that pose significant risks under current dry conditions.
On Friday evening, firefighters tackled a blaze in Littlehempston near Totnes that started around 5 p.m. The fire, believed to have been ignited by a spark from a barbecue, rapidly spread across tinder-dry grassland. Fire crews from Paignton, Newton Abbot, and Torquay collaborated to suppress the fire.
A service spokesperson stressed the dangers: “Although we encourage people to enjoy the warm weather and outdoor dining, these dry conditions mean that even a single spark can cause widespread devastation.”
Additionally, firefighters confronted a standing crop fire near Taunton on Friday evening. The blaze covered 13 acres with a 100-meter fire front. The Incident Commander called for three additional pumping appliances, along with a 4x4 ranger and water carrier, to help contain the fire.
The combined efforts of fire crews across Devon and Somerset have been critical in managing these frequent and hazardous fires during this extended period of hot, dry weather.