Devon station fire crews witnessed an ongoing incident in the Fishleigh Barton area near Umberleigh. The incident began when an uncontrolled caravan flame spread to a barn containing potentially hazardous materials.
As a result, the A377 was closed and was expected to reopen by 5 am. However, the incident continues and the A377 will remain closed for at least a few more hours, according to Devon Alert.
A detour has been created that will see drivers traveling on the A396 to Tiverton and the A361 to Barnstaple. At 4.51 am, he tweeted: “The A377 will remain closed for several more hours due to the ongoing fire in Fishleigh Barton.
Read more: “Explosions” are heard, the road is closed and a special unit is calling – live updates
“The diversion route is via A396 to Tiverton and A361 to Barnstaple and vice versa. Please take the extra time for your trip.
There are currently several fire trucks from different stations on the site. A spokesman for the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the crews were “making steady progress” and believed the cause of the fire was an accident.
A spokesman said in a statement: “The fire department received a call from a member of the public about a large fire at a farm in Umberley. The initial response included two fire engines from Barnstaple, a fire truck from South Molton and an officer.
(Image: Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue)
“Based on additional information gathered by the caller, the fire department then escalated the incident and mobilized a water carrier from Barnstaple and two officers. When the crews arrived at the incident, they confirmed that there was a large fire in the barn and asked for two additional fire trucks (Braunton and Thorington) and a platform ladder (Danes Castle – Exeter) for access and resources.
“Then they asked for an environmental department (South Molton) and an additional water carrier (the castle of the Danes – Exeter). The Ilfracomb incident command unit is also present.
“The crew confirmed that the barn, which contained many caravans, machines and cylinders, was 100 percent damaged by fire, but all people at the scene were reported. Two more fire engines were called after the statement, one from Tiverton and one from Holsworthy.
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