MORE than 100 firefighters tackled a blaze which involved a row of thatched cottages in Crediton on Thursday, February 2.

The fire started at 2 Buller Square and was reported to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) at 12.39pm.

Crediton firefighters were first on the scene and DSFRS sent others from across the county; at its height 20 fire appliances and crews tackled the blaze.

On arrival the crews found the roof of the property was well alight on both sides and this spread quickly despite a tremendous amount of hard work by firefighters.

Crediton firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went into the first cottage to tackle it from the inside but were forced to evacuate when the thatched roof collapsed around them.

The fire took hold in the cottages, parts of which date back more than 300 years, in an historical area of the town known locally as the traditional birthplace of St Boniface.

The fire affected a row of five thatched cottages before spreading to a sixth property around Buller Square.

Compressed air foam jets, hose reel jets, main jets and dozens of sets of breathing apparatus were used by fire officers.

Attempts were made to create fire breaks in the thatch, firefighters pulling the thatch from the roofs with their hands, but the fire appeared to spread too quickly for these breaks to be effective.

Foam was sprayed across all the thatched roofs.

The fire crews, in addition to Crediton included Exeter, North Tawton, Witheridge, Tiverton, Taunton, Moretonhampstead, Cullompton, Chulmleigh, Sidmouth, Honiton, South Molton, Bideford, Wadebridge and beyond.

Plumes of smoke could be seen for miles around as the fire took hold and sudden bursts of flames shot into the air.

Roads were closed in the area, including Mill Street and East Street as well as those in the vicinity of Buller Square.

Water was extracted from standpipes in neighbouring streets and bowsers brought in extra water and emergency inflatable water tanks were put in place.

Ambulances were placed on stand-by at the Westward Babywear courtyard, where offices occupied by Mole Avon were used as a rest area for ambulance and police personnel. There were no reports of any injuries.

Fire appliances lined the streets, as well as support vehicles, which also came from across the county.

The car park at Morrisons supermarket was used to park some of the fire appliances.

An emergency rest area for firefighters was set up at Crediton Fire Station.

The Salvation Army and Red Cross attended to provide support to firefighters.

Crediton Rector, the Rev Nigel Guthrie provided support to families and family members of those who had lost their homes at the Boniface Centre.

Mid Devon District Council put in place an emergency plan to house those who had lost their homes.

One of the home owners, who was previously very distraught trying to find her son, said after finding him safely away from the scene, said of her home: "It is terrible. The whole lot is completely gone."

Adrian Browning, who saw the smoke from his home at Butt Parks, and went to see what was happening, said: "I thought it was an industrial unit on Lords Meadow estate and it is really sad that it is people's homes.

"It looks like one of them caught alight and it has spread to others."

John Miller, from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said at the scene: "The fire spread in both directions across the thatched roofs. The crews have been working hard under difficult circumstances.

"Our primary role now is to try and find out how the fire has been caused and support the people of the community."

He added that it had been particularly difficult to fight the fire because of the amount of smoke which seriously reduced visibility.

Saying that, spectators lined some nearby roads behind a police cordon until road closures were extended to a wider area.

One firefighter described the blaze as "a tough nut to crack".

Staff working at a nearby pub described seeing "a large plume of greyish brown smoke going high in the sky".

Police advised motorists to avoid the Crediton area due to heavy traffic congestion.

At 5.23pm DSFRS sent 10 appliances to relieve the crews that had been there all afternoon. Six crews continued to fight the fire and damp down the remains throughout the night.

Frank Letch, the Mayor of Crediton, said: "My thoughts are with those who have lost their homes but thankfully you can rebuild a home.

"These were historical cottages near the birthplace of St Boniface.

"I feel for the people looking for somewhere to live. Fortunately, if you can say that, it happened during the day when things can swing into action.

"I understand a plan has been made by Mid Devon District Council to house people as I know the Town Clerk, Martin Maggs, has been in contact with Mid Devon to discuss this arrangement.

"Crediton is a warm and accepting community and has a strong Christian ethos.

"If there is a disaster the collection rate is always amazing.

"This is a caring community with a real heart."

Firefighters spent many hours trying to bring the blaze under control.

Relief crews damped down throughout the night despite bitterly cold weather reaching minus four.

The freezing conditions created their own problems with water freezing in hoses and causing ice underfoot, according to DSFRS.

Road closures remained in place until the next day.

There has been an outpouring of support for those affected by the fire on Facebook and Twitter, with suggestions of setting up a fund to help them financially during what must be a very distressing time.

* If you were a witness to the fire or have photos to share with Courier readers, please email: [email protected]">[email protected] .

Report by Alan Quick