Vehicles and garage near Ilminster destroyed in blaze

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service received calls at around 4am about cars and a trailer that were ablaze, with flames spreading to the large garage they were parked outside.

Crews from Axminster, Chard and Ilminster fire stations were sent to the scene, with a water carrier from Yeovil also requested.

According to the fire service, the ‘fire had quickly spread to the garage, which was well alight’ and was ‘threatening to spread to the adjacent farmhouse.’

Fire crews eventually brought the fire under control to prevent it from spreading further.

The incident was brought under control at 7.15am this morning, the fire service confirmed.

Overall, fire crews used six breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets, one attack jet, and ceiling hooks to extinguish the fire.

Thermal imaging cameras were also used to check for hotspots as crews continued to damp down the vehicles and garage, measuring approximately 16m by 6m.

Three vehicles, one trailer and the three-bay garage (which has subsequently collapsed) were 100 per cent ‘destroyed by fire’.

The remaining vehicle ended up with partial heat damage, the fire service confirmed.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: “Fortunately there were no casualties after crews worked well to prevent the fire from spreading to the house.”

The fire service said the fire was started accidentally.