FIRE crews worked through the night after fire broke out in the Cornhill shopping centre, in Wellington in the early hours.
The brigade received several calls from members of the public of a shop fire at 12.42am this morning.
Firefighters in six engines initially believed there were people trapped in the blaze, although everyone was soon accounted for.
A further sour engines were called in to help tackle the fire at 1.50am after a roof collapsed.
Firefighters using breathing apparatus were withdrawn for their own safety.
A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said a number of two and three storey derelict houses were on fire.
Firefighters had difficulties reaching the buildings from the rear.
The fire was surrounded and under control by 7.11am.
Firegihters, using a hydraulic platform, were damping down hotspots.
Watch the website for further updates and see next Thursday's Somerset County Gazette for a full report.
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