A TOTAL of 14 fire crews were called to a blaze in Lewtrenchard yesterday (September 3) after a property caught fire.

At around 11.44am one appliance from Launceston Community Fire Station was mobilised to assist a number of other stations tackling a fire across the border in Devon.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Fire Control received a call from a member of the public reporting a property on fire.

Following the call, the service control immediately mobilised Tavistock, Okehampton and Launceston services.

With the fire spreading to the roof of the property, once on scene crews immediately requested an additional two fire engines to assist. These were mobilised from North Tawton and Hatherleigh, alongside a number of support vehicles and officers.

Thankfully, although a domestic property, the building is currently uninhabited.

Crews used two jets to contain the fire which was affecting 30 per cent of the roof and 20 per cent of the first floor at the time.

As time went on, crews were forced to call for eight more fire engines on scene due to additional equipment being required. These were mobilised from Bodmin, Yelverton and Chagford, an additional appliance was then sent form Cornwall coming from Bude owing to additional breathing apparatus requirements.

After the team of 14 appliances had been battling for around four hours, the stop message received and crews could stand down.

A spokesperson from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service explained that the cause of the fire was believed to be accidental.

They added that a revisit was carried out by a local crew to ensure there was no chance of re-ignition.