FIRE crews in South Devon found themselves having a busy night of it night last night (Saturday, Sept 16th).

Two Newton Abbot crews were joined by a third crew from Torquay Station after reports of a kitchen fire in Kingsteington just before 7.15pm.

A Devon and Somerset Fires and Rescue spokesman said : “Crews attended a bungalow in New Park Crescent where items left on an oven hob had ignited. Fortunately the owner had removed the items prior to our arrival.”

“Approximately 5% of the room was damaged by fire and a 100% damage by light smoke. Crews used a positive pressure fan was used to assist with ventilating the property.”

Four hours later crews were called into action again after Fire Control received report of a fire in an outbuilding on Newton Road, Kingskerswell.

Two crews from Torquay station were mobilised and on arriving on scene just after 11.30pm found a timber store well alight, so set to work using a hose reel jet and a main jet to attack the fire. At 12.18am the Incident Commnander requested the assistance of an aerial ladder platform and one from Exeter was mobilised.

Continued the DFRS spokesman: “ While attacking the fire it was discovered that there was asbestos within the roof and walls of the building, and although not directly affected by fire a Hazardous Materials and Environmental Protection Officer was mobilised to the scene to provide advice.”

"Once the aerial ladder platform arrived on scene it was set to work as a water tower, pouring water onto the building from above, and was also used to inspect the building for any remaining hotspots.”

The single storey building measured approximately 15m by 20m, and was severely damaged by fire. In total two main jets, one hose reel jet, two breathing apparatus sets and the aerial ladder platform were used to extinguish the fire. The cause of the blaze is under investigation