FIREFIGHTERS from Buckfastleigh were called in to help tackle a large coastal fire.

The crew had been on standby at Paignton fire station when they were alerted to the blaze at the National Trust property Coleton Fishacre yesterday (Tuesday).

They were among eight crews who were sent in to deal with a crop fire in the grounds of the popular tourist attraction.

Buckfastleigh crew members joined colleagues from surrounding stations to extinguish approximately 44 acres of crop stubble on fire.

The blaze forced the closure of Coleton Fishacre house, near Kingswear, once home to the D’Oyly Carte family.

A spokesman for Buckfastleigh fire station said: ‘During the incident we were greatly assisted by a farmer who ploughed fire breaks into the field to prevent further spread. ‘Crews remained on scene into the afternoon to monitor hot spots.’