A kitchen fire rapidly spread to adjacent houses on Beckington Crescent in Chard, Somerset, resulting in urgent evacuations and catastrophic damage to two properties. The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service responded promptly to emergency calls on Sunday, May 25, at 4:35 pm.
The incident escalated swiftly during the initial 999 call when flames spread from one kitchen to a neighboring home, with a second property soon caught in the blaze. Residents evacuated immediately amid concerns over a propane cylinder threatened by the intense heat.
Firefighters reported that one home suffered total smoke damage, while the adjoining property endured severe fire and smoke damage. Throughout the night, crews worked diligently at the scene, finally leaving at around 9:30 am on Monday, May 26. Meanwhile, tenants awaited housing association officials to secure the damaged homes.
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The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service provided an account of the response: A crew from Chard was first dispatched to reports of a garden fire on Beckington Crescent, which rapidly intensified to involve the house even as emergency calls were still incoming. In response to multiple calls, three additional fire appliances from Crewkerne, Yeovil, and Charmouth were deployed.
Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed two properties were involved, with all occupants safely evacuated. The team also addressed the critical situation of a propane cylinder removed from the premises. Equipped with breathing apparatus, hose reel jets, safety jets, thermal imaging cameras, and gas monitors, the crews worked methodically to extinguish the fire and cool the cylinder. No injuries were reported, as residents were medically checked as a precaution.
The blaze caused complete smoke damage to the originating end-terrace house and approximately 25% fire damage and 50% smoke damage to the neighboring property. After securing the scene, the fire service handed over responsibility to the occupants, with housing authorities preparing to board up and arrange repairs for the socially rented homes.