Busy weekend for firefighters tackling car, property and barn fires in Chard, Crewkerne and Ilminster

Crews from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were first called to reports of a barn fire on Saturday on Bugway Lane, in Tatworth.

Firefighters rushed to the incident at 1.35pm and upon arrival, found a barn containing hay, agricultural vehicles, fertilizer and cattle alight.

The cows were quickly herded from the barn, and the Environmental Protection Unit was called for.

Crews cordoned off the area, and worked with four breathing apparatus, drag forks, hose reel and compressed air foam to fight the fire.

An ambulance was also requested as a woman was suffering from smoke inhalation.

Shortly after 2pm crews confirmed the fertilizer was no longer involved in the fire and at 3.06pm, the fire had been fully extinguishers and crews were damping down hotspots.

The Ambulance Service were requested to attend due to a female suffering smoke inhalation.

One vehicle had been severely damaged by the fire, corn machinery slightly damaged and remainder of the building damaged by smoke.

At 6pm on the same day, firefighters were called to a property fire on Rhydderch Way in Crewkerne.

Three appliances from Yeovil, Crewkerne and Chard were mobilised, but found that the fire had been extinguished upon arrival.

Crews found the house to be heavily smoke logged and one male occupant was helped from the property by firefighters, before receiving oxygen therapy.

A positive pressure ventilation fan was then used and the kitchen suffered 20 per cent smoke damage.

There was slight damage to the rest of the property by smoke.

It is believed cause of the fire was accidental and the man was left in the care of paramedics.

Shortly after at 6.49pm, firefighters were then called to a chimney fire in Donyatt, Ilminster.

One appliance from Ilminster was mobilised by fire control to reports of a chimney fire, and firefighters used chimney gear and a thermal imaging camera to locate and extinguish the fire quickly.

At 9.05pm the same night, crews were called to a car fire on the A303.

Crews from Martock rushed to the incident at South Petherton, and on arrival found the vehicle to be well alight.

Firefighters used one hose reel jet and two breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire.

It is believed that the cause of the fire was deliberate, and the car was severely damaged. Avon and Somerset Police have now launched an investigation into the incident.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service was also called to a host of other incidents across the weekend, including the evacuation of Exeter City Football Club during ta match with Carlisle after a suspected fire in the stand.