Woman and two children escape fire in house in School Road, Monkton Heathfield

A team of 36 firefighters tackled the flames and smoke after being called to the blaze involving solar panels in the roof of a semi-detached property in School Road, Monkton Heathfield.

The first crew on the scene were called out of a training session on tackling fires involving solar panels when the call went out at 10.15am this morning (Wednesday, July 27).

The fire is now out, but fire investigation officers are currently on the scene trying to establish the cause of the fire, while utility firm staff are checking gas and electricity supplies are safe.

Police were on the scene earlier to direct traffic, while a cordon was set up around the incident.

As well as six fire engines, and command and welfare units, the aerial ladder platform was also used to tackle the blaze from above.

The efforts of the firefighters ensured the fire did not affect the neighbouring home.

Incident commander Adrian Woollaston, station commander at Taunton Fire Station, said there is "significant damage" to the house, with the roof space destroyed and the first floor badly damaged, with the ceilings falling in.

There is also a large amount of water damage.

The occupant a woman, and two children, aged 10 and 12, who are on their school holidays, are being looked after by a Red Cross team, while another neighbour needed treatment from a paramedic for shock.

Station commander Woollaston said: "The fire crews worked really hard to subdue the fire, which was very difficult in a roof space externally.

"We prevented it from spreading to the neighbouring property due to the direct actions of the fire service."

He praised the actions of the woman in the home, who got her children out of the house as soon as she realised it was on fire.

He added: "There were smoke detectors fitted in the house and we have got to urge every household to have a working smoke detector."

The fire was out inside two hours but firefighters are still on the scene damping down any hotspots. 

Initially three fire engines raced to the scene following reports of smoke billowing from a roof.

The incident commander immediately called for another appliance as the roof and solar panels were involved.

A further two engines were summoned soon after as the fire spread to the semi-detchaed property next door.

The incident was decribed as "a fully developed roof fire by 10.30am, with firefighters tackling the flames using breathing apparatus and isolating the power on the ground floor.

The aerial ladder platform was requested at 10.50am and police also attended for traffic duties.

Photo from James Griffiths on Twitter.

The fire had stopped spreading shortly before 12noon, and the police and ambulance service also attended to assist with the incident. 

The cause of the fire was accidental which resulted in the roof of the primary property being 100 per cent damaged by fire and the first floor of the property being moderately damaged. 

The adjoining property suffered some damaged to the roof battening.

A further revisit will be carried out by Taunton crews later on this evening.