A LARGE processing machine was badly damaged in a fire at clay works in Kingsteignton this morning (Monday).

Two fire crews from Newton Abbot dealt with the blaze at Sibelco’s Preston Manor Works site after the alarm was raised at 11.20am.

The exact extent of the damage to a sand processing machine, housed in a two-storey building, is still being assessed, a Sibelco spokesman said.

Flames from the location could be seen for miles around.

Firefighters used hosereel jets to extinguish the blaze which brought production at the plant to a halt.

The Sibelco spokesman said: ‘We are still investigating the cause of the fire which did result in some damage.

‘The important thing is that no one was hurt.’

He thanked firefighters for their prompt response and their professional manner in dealing with the incident.

A fire spokesman confirmed that the cause was accidental.

He added that the machine appeared to be destroyed by the fire.