CONCERNED Milverton residents are campaigning for a new one-way traffic system after a huge fire broke out and authorities were blocked by a tractor.
Residents have sent in more photos and videos of the caravan blaze that occurred on May 7, saying that change is needed to prevent something like this from ever happening again.
One such resident said: "the issue was the fact the fire brigade were unable to get through the village to reach the fire due to inconsiderate parking."
The Milverton blaze
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service received multiple calls about a large fire in North Street, Milverton, Taunton at around 5.05pm on May 7.
Two fire engines from Wellington Fire Station were rushed to the scene and, once there, crews confirmed that a campervan was “well alight.”
The blaze was caused by a camper van that ignited which allegedly contained gas canisters on board and had parked up when it first started to smoke.
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Wellington Fire Crews 'marooned'
According to residents, the two fire engines found themselves delayed by nearly 15 minutes as the street became gridlocked due to a large tractor and trailer blocking the road.
One resident said: “Two crews were marooned in the neighbouring street.”
The resident added that due to the “traffic [that] was pouring into the village” the fire crews had to get out their engines to direct traffic, however this meant that the blaze spread to nearby properties and vehicles.
They said: “Residents were calling out in horror as this thing burst into flames and was in danger of spreading to nearby residences.
“It’s a miracle that houses weren’t destroyed.”
Similarly, residents have since told the Somerset County Gazette that the fire engines were also unable to leave the village due to more congestion and traffic buildups.
A resident said: "The fire brigade were unable to get out of the village to attend other calls as well."
Destroyed property
The Wellington fire crews extinguished the fire using hose reel jets and confirmed that the campervan was “completely destroyed” by the blaze, along with a car, nearby tree and area of grass which were all also damaged due to fire spread.
The cause was confirmed to be accidental.
Concerned residents demand action
Despite the fire being extinguished however, residents who form the Milverton Traffic Action Group have raised their concerns about the “illogical and dangerous two-way traffic flow along such a narrow inadequate route”.
One such member, Patrick Storer has contacted the Parish Council and the Somerset Council demanding a one-way traffic system be put in place to prevent further incidents where emergency services are unable to reach the incident due to traffic and hazardous road blockages.
The Milverton Traffic Action Group have said enough is enough and have now also contacted Rachel Gilmour MP and have written to the head of traffic control in Somerset.
Patrick said: "Its about prioritising the safety of the village which has over 1000 people in it.
"We have an action group pressuring the Parish Council to come behind the bid for a new one-way-system.
"We need change before something worse occurs. I think yesterday proved the point."
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