RESIDENTS were evacuated from a block of flats after a fire at a hair salon in Minehead.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were called at 3.21am today (March 23) to Blenheim Road in Minehead after reports of smoke coming from a property. 

Two crews from Minehead attended the incident and on arrival found a small fire in the cavity wall. 

Crews then requested assistance and a further two appliances, mobilized from Porlock and Williton.

The fire started at a ground floor hair salon and began spreading to first floor flats.

Residents were evacuated from the flats and crews got to work putting the fire out using breathing apparatus and hose reel jets.

Crews then requested a fifth appliance for assistance due to the fire spreading to the first floor.

At 4.12am crews believed they had extinguished the fire and started to ventilate the property using two positive pressure fans.

Two hose reel jets, six breathing apparatus sets and one safety jet were also in use.

At 4.39 am crews confirmed that the fire was out bu using thermal imaging cameras. 

The fire was found to be caused accidentally and was caused by a tumble dryer in a downstairs cupboard.

The ground floor of the property sustained severe fire damage and moderate smoke damage to the flats above.

Crews used thermal imaging cameras to ensure the fire was out. These are the final details.