FIRE crews from Teignbridge have been assisting their colleagues from East Devon overnight with a large fire involving a thatched property.

Initially eight fire engines were mobilised to reports of a fire following reports of a property near Woodbury with a thatched roof on fire just after 7.30 last night (Monday 17th April).

A Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "Whilst on route to the incident crews confirmed there to be a lot of smoke within the area and on arrival confirmed a fire involving a two story property with thatched roof well alight.”

“Firefighters were at work with one foam branch and two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus. Western Power were also requested due to power lines running within close proximity of the property.”

The property’s roof was well alight along with 50% of the first floor. Crews were withdrawn from the property with external firefighting only taking place.

At 8.10pm the decision was made to increase the incident to a 12 pumps and crews from Newton Abbot and Dawlish were sent to the scene.

Three hours later relief crews from Teignmouth, Chagford and Ashburton were also mobilised to assist their colleagues.

By just after midnight crews reported that hot spots in 50 per of the roof have now been extinguished. In a final update a DSFRS spokesman said: "The fire is now out and all appliances have come away from the scene. In total crews used 8 BA, 2 foam jets, 2 main jets, 2 extension ladders and drag forks to extinguish the fire, which started accidentally, in the privately owned 2 storey home.""The thatch roof was completely destroyed and the first floor was severely damaged by fire, with the remainder of the house suffering water and smoke damage. Crews worked throughout the incident salvaging as much of the contents as possible. No persons were involved or injured and a revisit will be made later on this morning as a precaution."