TWENTY scrap cars were destroyed on a fire at a Chard business on Saturday.

Five fire engines were called to the scrap yard in Beeching Close shortly after noon on August 18.

Crews from Axminster, Ilminster, Taunton, Charmouth and Chard rushed to the scene, along with a water bowser from Yeovil, incident command unit from Honiton, and numerous fire officers.

A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue service said they received "a call from site amongst many other calls to fire control stated there was approximately 30 scrap cars involved in the fire.

"All persons are accounted for and crews are at work with two breathing apparatus sets and two hose reel jets to try and prevent escalation.

"All residents in the area are advised to keep windows and doors closed and anyone driving should avoid the Furnham area of Chard at this time."

At around 2.40pm, fire service updated the public, and said: "The fire has now been extinguished using eight breathing apparatus, two main jets and one hose reel jet.

"This was a fire involving 20 scrap vehicles covering an area of 20m by 10m.

"The cause of the fire was accidental.

"All fire appliances have left the scene now and residents are ok to open windows and doors and there should be no restrictions on driving in the Furnham area of Chard now."