Fire crews tackle chimney fire

The Fire Service were called to reports of a chimney fire, within a thatch roof which was smoking at a house in Newton Poppleford.

Fire Control initially mobilised eight pumping appliances to this incident.  The appliances were sent from Sidmouth, Ottery St Mary, Middlemoor, Exmouth, Honiton, Danes Castle to attend this incident, together with a Water Bowser from Danes Castle, and Incident Command Unit.

Upon arrival crews confirmed smoke and flames were issuing from the thatched roof and was fully involved in fire.  Crews got to work using two breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets, one main jet, one safety jet.  Crews requested Western Power to attend this incident to isolate the electrical supply, also a Building Surveyor was also requested to attend.

The full incident report is below.

At 1943hrs - crews requested a further four pumping appliance to attend, these were mobilised from Danes Castle, Colyton, Exmouth and Topsham.  Crews then requested the High Volume Pump from the Special Operations Station in Exeter to attend.  At 2059hrs crews on scene confirmed the property was fully engulfed in fire.

At 2145hrs - the incident was reduced to ten appliances  and the High Volume Pump was stood down.  Crews on scene requested a three pump relief crew for 2300hrs.

At 0016hrs - Crews confirmed the fire is being allowed to burn out, one safety jet is in place, and a fire watch is being maintained.  Incident has now been reduced to one pump attendance.

At 0300hrs Crews making steady progress and will continue to maintain a watching brief.

At 0700hrs - Crews are still maintaining a watching brief, allowing the fire to burn out.