Community News pages 50-55 Explosions heard in barn blaze near Umberleigh Investigators say that a massive fire at a farm building at Fishleigh Barton near Umberleigh started accidentally (pictured right). Witnesses reported hearing explosions, thought to be gas cylinders, as flames shot into the night sky on Good Friday April 15th. At its height, more than 40 firefighters from all over Devon joined local crews in tackling the flames. The A377 was closed all night and through to around 1pm on Saturday because of the severity of the inferno. It’s believed the fire started in a caravan just after 9pm, before spreading to a barn.
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Photos this page courtesy Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
A spokesman for the fire service said thankfully no one was hurt, “Crews confirmed that the barn containing multiple caravans, machinery and cylinders (containing argon, butane, propane) has been destroyed, but all persons on scene were accounted for.” Fire crews from South Molton, Barnstaple, Braunton, Torrington, Ilfracombe, Martock, Witheridge, Tiverton, Bideford, Danes Castle, Holsworthy and Exeter were on the scene for more than 15 hours.
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