North Devon fire burned for nearly 16 hours

Straw and animal feed caught fire in a barn last night (Wednesday 15th August)

Two fire appliances from Bideford and Hartland along with the water bowser from Barnstaple were mobilised to reports of a barn on fire at Parkham Ash.

The 4x4 vehicle and ground hog from Hartland were also sent for additional crew.

On arrival, crews requested a further 3 appliances for assistance. These were mobilised from Bideford, Torrington, Appledore and Holsworthy, with an incident command unit from Ilfracombe.

Crews got to work with breathing apparatus, one hose reel jet and one ground monitor to extinguish the fire, which involved various agricultural supplies including straw and animal feed. No animals were involved.

At 11pm relief crews from Hatherleigh and Chulmleigh took over. 

It took until nearly 10am on Thursday morning (16th August) to bring the fire under control. 

Crews say 200 tonnes of compound feed and 25 tonnes of straw, sustained 75 percent structural damage by fire, 25 percent fire damage to the contents and 75 percent heat and water damage to the contents. The crews used 4 breathing apparatus, 1 hose reel jet, 1 x 45m jet, 1 ground monitor, 1 thermal imaging camera and drag forks. They were also assisted by farm staff using a mechanical digger.