MORE than 70 firefighters from across Devon have been fighting a commercial building fire at Crediton Milling Company, Fordton, Crediton, tonight and this morning.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the blaze at 9.29pm last night, Friday, June 14.

A Crediton crew and two from Danes Castle, Exeter attended along with the aerial ladder platform from Exeter.

On arrival, crews confirmed that smoke and flames were issuing from a building measuring approximately 30 metres by 25 metres by 18 metres high and requested five additional fire engines, with the building and roof well alight.

At 9.52pm the Officer in Charge requested the attendance of the High Volume Pump from Exeter and at 9.57pm, requested another four fire engines, making a total of 12.

He requested a second aerial ladder platform to attend as the fire was starting to spread to the remainder of the building.

Currently in attendance are fire engines, specialist appliances and officers from the stations at Crediton, Danes Castle and Middlemoor in Exeter, Topsham, North Tawton, Tiverton, Witheridge, Honiton, Ivybridge, Bovey Tracey, Okehampton, Chagford, Chulmleigh, Torquay and the High Volume Pump from the Urban Search and Rescue based at the Fire Service HQ.

Local residents confirmed that the fire was at Crediton Milling Company, which produces agricultural feed products, which are distributed throughout the South West.

There is a strong smell of smoke in the area.

Roads in the area are currently closed at Fordton with police officers in attendance.

An ambulance crew is on standby at Crediton Milling Company.

Further details to follow.