Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have been stretched thin as a series of fires ignited across both counties, fueled by soaring temperatures and parched, tinder-dry landscapes.
The incidents began shortly after midnight on Saturday with a house fire in the Plymstock area of Plymouth. Firefighters from Greenbank and Plymstock quickly responded to the blaze engulfing the first floor of the home. Crews deployed eight breathing apparatus alongside three hose reel jets and two safety jets to bring the fire under control.
By 4 a.m., multiple teams from Torquay, Paignton, and Newton Abbot were tackling a fire at the now-closed Occombe Farm tourist attraction in Devon. The response included four fire engines, an aerial ladder platform, and a water bowser. Firefighters worked to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby buildings and grassland; however, the cookery school building was completely destroyed.
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Later that morning, at approximately 8:30 a.m., eight fire stations joined forces to extinguish a significant blaze at a scrap yard within an industrial estate on Clovelley Road in Bideford. The road was closed in both directions as crews from Barnstaple, Ilfracombe, Appledore, Bideford, Hartland, South Molton, Torrington, and Danes Castle tackled the fire. Due to environmental concerns, an environmental protection unit and additional support apparatus were deployed from South Molton.
At 11:40 a.m., fire crews from Barnstaple, Chulmleigh, Combe Martin, and Woolacombe responded to a fire at a derelict building in Ilfracombe.
These incidents come on the heels of numerous grass and crop fires across rural Devon and Somerset, prompting urgent warnings from the fire service regarding the use of barbecues, especially disposable ones, during the continuing dry spell.
On Friday evening, fire crews rushed to a grass fire in Littlehempston near Totnes, thought to have been sparked by a barbecue. The flames quickly spread across the tinder-dry grasslands, requiring additional support from Paignton, Newton Abbot, and Torquay.
A spokesperson for the service urged caution: “While we encourage everyone to enjoy the warm weather, it’s vital to remember that in these dry conditions, a single spark can lead to devastating consequences.”
Additionally, a standing crop fire near Taunton erupted on Friday evening, covering a front of 100 meters and 13 acres. The Incident Commander requested three additional pumping appliances, alongside a 4x4 ranger and water carrier, to assist in extinguishing the fire.
With the ongoing heatwave and parched conditions, fire crews remain on high alert across Devon and Somerset to manage and contain further outbreaks.