A devastating fire erupted in a Somerset restaurant’s kitchen in the early hours of Friday, September 5, caused by a tumble dryer. Fire crews from Taunton, Minehead, and Williton responded swiftly to the incident at a Dunster premises shortly after 1 a.m., working through the night to bring the flames under control.
The property houses a restaurant on the ground floor with residential units above. The fire caused extensive damage: the rear kitchen on the ground floor suffered total destruction due to fire and smoke, while the front kitchen was completely destroyed by fire and affected by significant smoke damage. The restaurant area sustained 50% smoke damage, and the residential floors above also incurred damage—50% fire damage on the first floor and 25% smoke damage on the second floor.
Fortunately, no injuries or casualties occurred during the incident. A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service reported that initial fire crews employed breathing apparatus, hose reels, and thermal imaging cameras to locate hotspots and prevent further spread. Gas and electrical supplies were safely isolated, and additional ventilation equipment was deployed to clear smoke from the building.
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The fire was fully extinguished by 8:40 a.m. The investigation attributes the cause to an accidental fault relating to the tumble dryer. The quick response and coordinated efforts of the fire crews prevented greater damage and ensured the safety of all residents and staff.