CREWS from Chard, Ilminster and Axminster fire stations were called to Chard last night (Friday, July 28), after reports of smoke coming from a second-floor flat.

They quickly got to work finding the occupants and investigating the cause of the fire. Crews found the flat was empty.

A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said: "Crews quickly confirmed a fire on the first floor of the premises involving unattended cooking left on the hob, crews quickly extinguished the fire using, two Breathing Apparatus Wearers, one Hose Reel Jet, one Safety Jet, one Covering Jet and a Thermal Imaging Camera.

"The flat was left with minimal fire damage to the premises and approximately 30 per cent smoke damage. No people were trapped inside the flat."