MANY fire crews from across the area attended a serious fire at Cheriton Bishop Village Hall on Thursday, September 1.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service received a telephone call reporting the incident at 1.45pm and immediately dispatched three fire crews and a turntable ladder.

Due to the serious nature of the fire, the fact that the building is joined to the Doctors’ Surgery, the number of pumps was first increased to five and then at 2.28pm to eight.

The roof of the hall was involved in fire and it also involved a number of solar panels.

Crews which attended included Okehampton, Chagford, Moretonhampstead, Exmouth, Crediton, Honiton and both Middlemoor and Danes Castle, Exeter.

A water bowser was used and an aerial ladder platform also attended from Exeter.

Crews used hose jets and many firefighters were in sets of breathing apparatus.

Swift action by the firefighters saved the shell of the building and the Doctors’ Surgery was saved with no damage.

There were no casualties and the fire was reported as “out” at 6pm.

Roads in the area were closed for many hours.

Janet Jeffery, Cheriton Bishop Village Hall secretary, told the “Courier” that it was people living behind the hall in Glebelands who first called the fire brigade.

She explained: “The fire started at the stage end, which is contiguous with the surgery and fortunately the wind was from the east, which carried the flames away from the surgery down the ridge of the roof.

“Had the customary direction of the wind, from the south-west, been blowing, the surgery would have been destroyed.

“The roof is completely destroyed on the side away from the car park but the firemen brought the fire under control before it reached the kitchen, which was renovated just before covid lockdown with new cupboards, dishwasher and an, as yet, unused range stove.

“The firemen on the scene thought the fire started in a photovoltaic panel above the stage, which short-circuited and over heated, setting fire to the wooden truss beneath.

“We are hoping the hall will need a new roof but not need to be demolished and rebuilt from scratch, but have not had the surveyors report yet.

“It was built 85 years ago, and is in regular use for yoga and pilates classes and the Short Mat Bowlers were restarting their winter practices this week, as well as periodic use by other organisations.

“It will be out of use for several months, although once the repair is started a new roof will take two or three weeks to go up but the hall will need rewiring, painting and we do not know yet if the wooden floor will need replacing.

“This does mean that half the car park will be fenced off to keep people away from falling slates and other debris, so we must ask everybody to be tolerant when visiting the surgery, and be prepared to park in the road and walk the length of the car park if possible.”

The public is asked to please be understanding when visiting the surgery.

Janet added that she hoped it would not be too long before the hall could have a grand re-opening.

Sue Read and Alan Quick