Dozens of firefighters tackle barn blaze

Fire appliances from Tiverton, Cullompton and Middlemoor, along with the water bowser from Danes Castle were mobilised to a report of a barn on fire at Lower Town near Halberton at 1.45 this afternoon (12 August).

Upon arrival the crews requested a further three appliances due to smoke and flames issuing. These cane from Wellington, Danes Castle and Witheridge together with the Incident Command Unit from Honiton.

Below is the fire service log:

At 14:10 a request was made by the crews for the telehandler which came from Special operations at Clyst St George.

At 14:15 crews requested a further 4 fire appliances. These came from Danes Castle retained, Wiveliscombe, Topsham and Crediton.  Crews confirmed a barn approximately 30 metres by 30 metres fully stowed with hay and straw which is well alight. The fire is spreading to an adjacent barn containing 50 cattle and a silage pit containing approximately 200 tonnes of silage. Crews re at work using 4 breathing apparatus wearers and 3 hose reel jets.

15:41 Crews are still at work trying to extinguish the fire involving a barn now believed 50 metres by 25 metres containing approximately 300 tonnes of straw and 30 tonnes of hay. They are using 4 breathing apparatus wearers, 2 hose reels, 2 safety jets, 4 foam jets and 2 mechanical diggers.

update 18:48 good progress being made removing hay from the barn, crews are turning over and damping down. Crews are also cooling the boundary and relief crews are in place.

update 20:05 6 fire appliances, an incident command unit, water bowser, telehandler, welfare unit and support vehicles are still in attendance

update 00:25 there is currently two fire appliances in attendance and steady progress is being made. Crews are now getting to work with compressed air foam on the fire.<br /></p>

Final details:

Fire involving agricultural barn measuring approximately 50m x 25m.  300 tonnes of straw and 30 tonnes of hay destroyed by fire.  Extinguished using 4 breathing apparatus, 4 compressed air foam jets, 2 main jets, 2 hose reel jets, 2 safety jets and 2 mechanical diggers.  The cause of the fire was accidental.