A QUICK-THINKING taxi driver has spoken of the moment he helped stopped a fire from spreading in town after hearing a "massive  explosion-like bang".

Brendan Cox and Dave Hurford were on duty last night on Corporation Street when they heard the noise.

Brendan, a father-of-three, said: "It was around midnight and we just heard this massive bang like an explosion or fireworks going off.

"In the window of Starbucks I could see the reflection of flames coming from outside of Ann Summers."

Brendan and Dave rushed over to the shop on Fore Street and grabbed their fire extinguishers.

Brendan said it looked like the fire had started in the bin and then exploded to in front of the Ann Summers store.

They managed to extinguish the fire, with the help of a staff member from nearby Wildwood before the policee arrived.

He added: "The flames were massive.

"If it had gone under the door the shop would have probably gone up in flames."

Police say they are increasing their patrols in the town centre and are investigating the fire. 

Staff at Ann Summers were shocked to arrive at work this morning only to be greeted by the remains of a fire. 

Avon and Somerset Police say they were called to the incident just after midnight.

They stayed until around 3.30am and are now looking into CCTV. 

Luckily there appeared to be no real damage, a pile of ash was left outside the shop and one of the doors was slightly cracked following the incident. 

An employee from Ann Summers, Taunton, said: "We have no idea what happened. 

"When we arrived this morning the alarm was going off so we called the police. 

"There was ash everywhere but we are clearing that now.

"The only damage was a bit of smashed glass but no damage other than that."

A spokesperson for the police said: "We were called around midnight and stayed until around 3.30am.

"The fire was out swiftly as someone had already used the fire extinguisher on it. 

"We are now investigating and would ask anyone with any information to call us."

The police are reviewing CCTV and are increasing patrols in the town centre.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting crime reference number 521 6143 590.