CREWS from across the county were called to fight a fire at a Bridgwater hotel.

Three crews from the town were initially called to the Old Vicarage in St Mary Street, at just before 8pm.

The fire, which firefighters said was started accidentally, was out by around 9.25pm and no one was injured.

A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said they responded to reports of smoke billowing from a room on the first floor.

Chard & Ilminster News:

"Shortly after arriving and liaising with staff, crews confirmed there was a fire on the first floor and the hotel was still in the process of being evacuated," the spokesman said.

At 8.10pm, the fire service said not everyone at the hotel had been accounted for, with crews from Taunton, Burnham-on-Sea and a Command Support Unit from Street called to the incident.

However, at 8.15pm, all persons were accounted for.

By this time, the fire was well alight and there was concern it could spread to the roof, the fire service spokesman said.

"However, crews accessed and checked the roof voids, and other than smoke escaping up there, confirmed no further fire spread and worked well to bring the fire under control."

He added: "The cause of the fire, which started in one of the first floor bedrooms of the two-storey hotel, was confirmed to be accidental following fire investigation.

"There were no casualties and all persons were accounted for."

The room where the fire started was 100% damaged by fire, with the two further rooms involved sustaining 100% smoke damage.

"Once the areas were made safe duty of care was left with hotel management," the spokesman said.