Property fire

Fire control received a few calls stating there was a barn on fire at a farm near Lutsford Cross this morning. The barn was containing hay.

Before the arrival of the first fire appliance from Hartland, they could see a considerable about of smoke issuing and requested to make pumps 4. There was already an appliance on route from Bude and a water bowser from Barnstaple. A further 2 fire engines from Bideford and Appledore were also mobilised. 

On arrival at the incident, the large agricultural building measuring 30m by 30m containing machinery and straw was well alight. Crews were at work using two breathing apparatus sets and two hose reel jets. 

08:45 Breathing apparatus was increased to 4. 1 thermal imagine camera, 2 hose reel jets, 1 covering jet and 1 safety jet were in use. 

08:52 An area support technician was requested to attend the incident with breathing apparatus cylinders. 

09:15 A 2nd water carrier was requested which was sent from Danes Castle, Exeter. 

The incident was sectorised and the steel frame barn contained 80 tons of hay, 80 tons of grain and miscellaneous farm machinery. The hay was well alight. A fire hydrant was also in use.

Fire crews continued to work on this and turn over and dampen down the hay as well as removing it to another area of the farm. 

15:00 A further 4 fire appliance relief crew is now on scene continuing to manage this fire. The fire crews came from Ilfracombe, Torrington, Barnstaple and Bideford. 

17:15 Crews along with farm workers have removed the contents of the barn in sector 1 and are continuing to dampen down the contents of the barn in sector 3. Both water carriers have now left the incident. 

Further updates to follow