Hours-long response as firefighters contain blaze at farm building in Devon

Firefighters from Bere Alston and Tavistock were called to a large agricultural fire near Sydenham Damerel on Sunday afternoon, 12 October.

The fire, reported shortly after 3.40pm, involved a barn used for storing farm vehicles and wood. 

Crews from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) remained at the scene for several hours to bring the fire under control.

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A propane cylinder was located inside the building and cooled at the scene before being safely removed by specialists. 

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service also attended, providing water bowsers and personnel equipped with breathing apparatus to assist in the operation.

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said: “The incident was attended by one appliance each from Bere Alston and Tavistock fire stations, with a separate appliance from Bere Alston conducting a revisit later that evening.”

Once the fire was extinguished, crews used a thermal imaging camera to check for hotspots and carried out environmental protection checks to minimise any impact on the surrounding area.

The fire was later confirmed to be accidental in origin.