A FIRE at an industrial unit in Wellington which destroyed two trailers and an outhouse was started by accident, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed.

The fire, which started at 11.36am on Sunday (September 6), was at South West Computer Recycling Ltd in Poole Trading Estate in Nynehead Road, Wellington.

Two fire engines from Wellington, one from Taunton and the aerial ladder platform from Taunton were sent to reports of a fire on an industrial estate.

Somerset County Gazette:

Firefighters are continuing to battle the fire in Wellington. Picture - Simon Willoughby

When the first crew arrived a request was made for further assistance from another three fire engines which were sent from Taunton, Wiveliscombe and Cullompton.

An incident command unit from Honiton, welfare unit from Ivybridge, incident support unit from Bovey Tracey, water carrier from Bridgwater and environmental protection unit from South Molton were also sent to the scene.

A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Crews confirmed the fire involving an articulated trailer unit and adjacent commercial building fully alight.

"Crews got to work setting up monitor jets awaiting arrival of back up crews.

"At 12.26pm crews stated the fire involved articulated trailer units, containers with recycling and refrigerators and an adjacent building.

"Crews were using five main jets and the aerial appliance as a water tower.

"At 1.38pm crews stated they were using four breathing apparatus sets and one fog spike on the containers. The fire was surrounded and crews were making good progress extinguishing the fire.

"At 3.46pm crews scaled back firefighting to two main jets and the aerial ladder platform, being fed from a hydrant.

"At 10.15pm relief crews in situ making good progress with one ground monitor and one monitor from the aerial ladder.

"At 5am on Monday (Septmeber 7) relief crews rotated through the night making steady progress extinguishing the fire.

"The fire is now extinguished and crews have left the scene, to revisit later in the day.

"The cause of the fire was accidental ignition and destroyed two trailers and a commercial outhouse."

Somerset County Gazette:

The fire can be seen from Nynehead. Picture - Simon Willoughby

Simon Willoughby, an eyewitness who saw the fire from his home in Nynehead, said firefighters from across Somerset have continued to battle the blaze for hours. 

He said: "It sounded like the biggest fireworks at Guy Fawkes night and smelt like fried electronics and burnt plastic."