Fire crews battle garage fire that spread to home in Thornfalcon near Taunton for EIGHT HOURS

Six crews - from Taunton, Bridgwater, Wellington and Ilminster, along with the water carrier from Bridgwater an aerial ladder from Taunton, a command unit from Street, a welfare appliance from Burnham and a high-volume pump from Exeter - attended the incident, in Thorn Lane,  Thornfalcon, at just after 3pm yesterday (September 24).

The blaze was found in the rear of the building, on the ground floor, with crews fighting to stop it spreading to the thatched roof. 

At around 4pm, crews confirmed one detached two-storey house of traditional construction with a combined of tiled and thatch roof was alight. 

"Fire crews are at work with 8 breathing apparatus wearers in an effort to stop the spread to the thatched area of the property," a Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesperon said.

"Fire crews also requested the attendance of an Ambulance for one male casualty suffering from smoke inhalation."

A 4.40pm, the crews confirmed the fire involved a garage and the first floor of the property and that Western Power Distribution had isolated the power supply to the property, while the oil supply had also been isolated. 

"Fire crews requested the attendance of a structural engineer from Somerset West and Taunton Council (at 4.45pm)," the spokesperson added.

By 5.20pm, the firefighters were 'making good progress cutting away and damping down with breathing apparatus wearers, roof ladders and safety at height equipment', the spokesperson added. 

The crews left the scene at just after 11.15pm, and were set to return this morning to inspect the property.

They confirmed the property was 15% damaged by fire and 50% damaged by smoke.