Woolacombe petrol station fire believed to be accidental

A fire broke out at the Murco petrol station on Station Road in Woolacombe yesterday (September 22), sparking a large-scale response from the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. 

Eight fire engines were called to the scene after a van caught fire on the petrol station forecourt, with the blaze quickly spreading to a nearby retail building.

Fire Control received multiple emergency calls about the incident just after midday, initially sending one fire engine from Ilfracombe. 

As further calls came in, additional support was rapidly mobilised from Braunton, Barnstaple, and Taunton, including an Aerial Ladder Platform.

By 12.23pm, the crews requested more assistance, with further appliances arriving from Combe Martin and Barnstaple. 

At 12.27pm, firefighters confirmed the van fire had spread to the forecourt canopy and an adjacent shop. 

Four breathing apparatus units and two jets were deployed, using water from a street hydrant to combat the flames.

Just minutes later, at 12.34pm, the fire was confirmed to have spread to a two-storey building housing a retail premises and living accommodation above. 

Crews worked urgently to prevent the fire from spreading further, particularly to the roof space.

South Western Ambulance Service attended the scene at 13.07pm to treat a female casualty suffering from smoke inhalation, marking the only reported injury.

At 13.14pm, despite successfully extinguishing the van fire, crews continued to focus on containing the blaze within the retail building. 

Six breathing apparatus units, four hose reel jets, and two covering jets were in use.

As the situation developed, an Environmental Protection Unit from North Tawton was called to assist at 13.32pm due to concerns about the petrol station. 

Additional fire engines from Woolacombe and Bideford were dispatched at 13.44pm to provide extra personnel.

By 14.00pm, it was confirmed that the building, measuring approximately 20 metres by 8 metres, was well alight on the first floor, however, the petrol pumps remained unaffected, with fuel supplies safely isolated.

Firefighters worked through the afternoon, removing roof tiles and contents from the first floor while continuing to douse the flames. 

By 15.35pm, breathing apparatus was no longer required as crews made steady progress in controlling the fire.

At 16.53pm, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the fire had been successfully contained within the retail building. 

The first floor and roof space suffered severe damage, but with the efforts of the fire crews, the fire did not spread to the petrol forecourt. 

Aerial ladder platforms, fog spikes, and thermal imaging cameras were among the equipment used to manage the fire. 

The cause of the fire has been determined to be accidental.