Cheddar firefighters among multiple crews who tackled large farm fire near Bridgwater

Firefighters from Cheddar were among crews from across Somerset and Devon to tackle a large farm fire near Bridgwater over the weekend.

Just before 1am yesterday (February 21), crews from Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea attended reports of a property fire in Stretcholt, near Bridgwater.

En route, crews saw the fire in the distance and requested the water carrier from Bridgwater. Crews arrived and requested assistance from a further six pumps as the fire was well established.

Appliances were sent from Burnham-on-Sea, Taunton, Nether Stowey, Cheddar and Wellington. The incident command unit was also sent from Street.

Crews reported farm buildings, a stable and domestic accommodation involved in the fire. All the animals had been removed.

Crews got to work with hose reel jets and main jets, with two firefighters in breathing apparatus.

Just after 1.30am, additional appliances were sent from Wellington, Glastonbury, Ilminster and Somerton. Low hazard asbestos was also reported to be involved in the fire.

An ambulance were requested for one person with smoke inhalation and Western Power for the isolation of electrics at the scene.

A second water carrier was also requested, sent from Yeovil, along with the incident support unit from Yeovil and the environmental protection unit from Taunton.

By 3am, crews were using 10 main jets, four breathing apparatus, compressed air foam, and water coming from the water carriers and a nearby pond.

At 3.30am, crews confirmed that not all persons were accounted for, and the police were making investigations. The Ambulance Hazardous Area Response Team was sent, along with the police helicopter.

By 6am, the incident was being scaled down to six pumps. Relief crews from Somerton, Minehead, Williton, Dulverton, Honiton and Tiverton were in place, with steady progress being made.

By 9am, steady progress was being made in all sectors, with crews at work damping down hot spots to prevent fire spread. The crime scene investigator to attended scene at 10am.