A fire severely damaged the historic Old Paper Mill in Watchet on Tuesday evening, causing the roof to collapse and prompting emergency warnings for nearby residents.
Dating back to the 1600s, the mill has a long history of paper production, operating for over 350 years before closing in 2015. The blaze broke out late Tuesday, and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue swiftly dispatched multiple crews from Williton, Minehead, and Nether Stowey to combat the fire.
Upon arrival, firefighters found the building “well alight,” with approximately 90% of the roof destroyed. They deployed multiple water jets and an aerial ladder platform to control the flames. The mill measures around 30 meters by 5 meters, making the firefighting effort challenging.
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Due to heavy smoke in the vicinity, emergency services have advised residents near Brendon Road and Watchet to keep their windows and doors closed to prevent smoke inhalation.
Firefighters continue their efforts to contain the fire, making steady progress as they work through the night to limit further damage to the historic structure.