A COMMERCIAL van was severely damaged in a fire at Ashburton this morning (Wednesday).

Fire control received reports of a van on fire at around 9.30am and appliances from Ashburton, Buckfastleigh and Newton Abbot were sent to put it out.

A Fire Control spokesperson said a crew from Ashburton were first on the scene and added: ‘Crews confirmed one van well alight and sent an assistance message ’Make Pumps 2’ so fire control then mobilised a second appliance which came from Buckfastleigh.

‘Crews got to work using two breathing apparatus, one hose reel jet, crews at this stage also confirmed that the van had cylinders in the back and they were working to cool them and prevent the incident from escalating.

‘Crews confirmed the fire involving the van was contained and they were working to cool the cylinders and dampen any hotspots surrounding them.

‘Another assistance message was received requesting an Environmental Protection Unit as a quantity of fuel and oil had leaked from the van which was in close proximity to a water source, this was mobilised from Newton Abbot.

‘Crews confirmed this was one commercial van severely damaged by fire, crews used two breathing apparatus, one hose reel jet, one compressed air foam jet and one thermal imaging camera to extinguish the fire, they also utilised environmental equipment to stem the oil and fuel leakage.

‘This incident was left in the hands of highways and is believed to be accidental.’