Fourteen fire crews fight Hatherleigh thatch fire - update

By Richard_Penny | Saturday, February 04, 2012, 16:41

Only two days after the catastrophic thatch fire in Crediton, the Fire Service received a call at 2.30pm today (Sat) to a thatch roof on fire at Fishleigh, near Hatherleigh.

The fire is to the north of Hatherleigh on the A386

Fire appliances from Hatherleigh, Okehampton (2), North Tawton, Torrington (with a compressed air foam system), Chulmleigh, Holsworthy and Bideford attended the scene, together with a water foam carrier from Barnstaple, the aerial ladder platform from Danes Castle Exeter, the hose layer from Tavistock and the incident command unit with a supporting appliance from Ilfracombe. Western Power were also requested to attend this incident to isolate the power supply to the property.

The Fire Service take up the story...

Upon arrival, fire crews confirmed the thatch roof of a property well alight around the chimney and were at work with two breathing apparatus wearers and two hose reel jets.

Update at 14:47 hrs - Fire crews requested a further two fire appliances from Appledore and Bideford, together with a compressed air foam systems appliance and a second water bowser from Danes Castle Exeter.

Update at 14:51 hrs - Police have been requested to attend to urgently close the road at this incident.

Update at 15:03 hrs - Fire crews confirm one single storey detached private property with a thatched roof, measuring twenty four metres by ten metres, with a mezzanine floor. Approximately twenty five percent of the roof is well alight and fire crews are making efforts to make fire breaks in the thatch to prevent further fire spread. Fire crews are at work with one main jet from a street hydrant, two hose reel jets and two breathing apparatus wearers.

Update at 15:12 hrs - The number of breathing apparatus wearers has increased to four. Fire crews are making efforts to remove contents from the property.

Update at 15:23 hrs - The British Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support Services team have been requested to attend this incident from Plymouth.

Update at 15:25 hrs - Group Commander Bond is now in charge of this incident.

Update at 15:38 hrs - Fire crews are making steady progress creating fire breaks and continuing with salvage operations.

Update at 16:06 hrs - Fire crews are at work with five hose reel jets, one main compressed air foam systems jet and four breathing apparatus wearers. Ladders are also being utilised for access.

Update at 17:48 hrs - Fire crews continuing to make steady progress with one hose reel jet, breathing apparatus has now been discontinued. The incident will be scaled down shortly.

Fire under Control message timed at 18:35 - Domestic residence 25m x 15m, 50 per cent of thatched roof saved by crews making fire breaks, water damage to property, majority of antique and valuable paintings saved and removed from the property by fire crews. Equipment used includes ladders,aerial ladder platform, six breathing apparatus wearers at a time, compressed air foam jets, five hose reels, crews continuing to dig out. Incident scaled down to 3 crews.

All firefighting has now ceased 19:21 and crews leaving the scene