by Alan Quick

MORE than 70 firefighters from across Devon tackled a blaze in a Grade II listed thatched house at Clannaborough, between Copplestone and Bow this morning, Saturday, November 11.

At 5.06am the owner of The Old Rectory, telephoned Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) to say that there was smoke in the kitchen and flames could be seen outside.

An initial eight-pump attendance was mobilised, with crews attending from North Tawton, Crediton, Danes Castle (Exeter), Chulmleigh, Okehampton and Witheridge, together with a water carrier from Danes Castle and Command Support Vehicle from Honiton.

On arrival the crews found the thatched roof of the property to be heavily involved in fire at one end of the property.

Crews set to work with compressed air foam to cover the exterior of the property while internally, crews undertook salvaging duties, removing household effects.

ROAD CLOSURE

At 5.55am a request was made to increase the number of crews fighting the fire to 12, other crews attending from Danes Castle, Hatherleigh, Chagford and Middlemoor.

A Foam Tender from Ivybridge, a further Water Carrier from Torquay, Environmental Protection Unit from Newton Abbot, the Welfare Unit from Burnham On Sea, backed up by further welfare equipment from DSFRS Urban Search and Rescue Station from Exeter also attended.

The A3072, between Copplestone and Bow was closed to traffic throughout the morning until late this afternoon to enable fire crews to gain access to the property, which is located down a short lane.

At 8am DSFRS reported that the roof and first floor of the 20 metre by 10 metre was well alight.

Crews used six sets of breathing apparatus, two sets of compressed air foam jets, one hose reel jet, one main jet and were working in two sectors.

Crews protected another thatched property with compressed air foam and prevented the spread of fire to that property.

WATER SHUTTLES

Due to low water pressure in the immediate area, which could not be increased due to the size of the mains water pipes, water was shuttled to the scene by water carriers from hydrants in Bow and Copplestone.

Relief crews took over at 10am and others at 12 noon.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Station Manager, George Setter, speaking at the scene, told the “Crediton Courier”: “As is usual with a thatched roof fire, eight appliances were tasked initially and this was then increased to 12.

“Some crews were tasked with firefighting and others with salvage from the property.

“We were having issues with water requirements and initially brought in a water bowser from Barnstaple. We also operated a water shuttle from hydrants in Bow and Copplestone.

“We were able to remove a number of personal belongings from the property before the thatched roof of the property became fully involved in fire and crews had to withdraw from interior works.

“We were also successful in preventing the fire reaching an adjoining outbuilding.

CAUSE UNKNOWN

“The cause at this stage is unknown, however, we feel confident that it did not start internally.

“There were, fortunately, working smoke alarms in the property, but these did not activate at the time.

“The fact they did not activate suggests the fire started externally.

“It was fortunate that the owners saw the fire when they awoke early.

“There were no casualties or injuries to occupants or firefighters and the owner’s cat and dog were rescued.

PROPERTY DESTROYED

“The property has been destroyed in the fire which is traumatic for the occupants but they have been supported greatly by neighbours and family.

“It is at times like this that you realise it is great to have such friends and this has been a great relief to the occupiers.”

Strong winds blowing are believed to have also worked against the efforts of firefighters at the scene.