FIRE crews from Ashburton, Buckfastleigh and Newton Abbot were called in to dealt with a fire at a scrapyard at Bickaton, Broadhempston yesterday afternoon (Monday).

A spokesperson for the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Fire control received multiple calls from members of the public who could see lots of black smoke in the area of Broadhempston.

‘Two fire appliances were initially mobilised from Ashburton and Buckfastleigh to investigate but information from further calls soon confirmed this was in fact a fire at a scrapyard involving scrap vehicles. 

‘Shortly after crews arrived they confirmed the fire, which started accidentally, was well alight but under their control. However due to a need for more water to help extinguish the fire, the attendance was increased by a further two fire appliances, which came from Newton Abbot and Torquay.

‘This incident is now complete and was brought under control at 3.38pm. Crews made good and steady progress to extinguish 10 cars, a quantity of tyres and an area of hedgerow, using two hose reel jets and 1 main jet (together with a quantity of compressed air foam), followed by a thermal imaging camera to check for fire spread and hotspots.

‘There were no casualties and once the crews had made the vehicles and scene safe, duty of care was left with the owner.’