Fire fighters battle fierce gorse blaze in North Devon as residents evacuate

Fire fighters from 16 fire stations worked overnight until the early hours to tackle an intense gorse blaze on the outskirts of Torrington.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service was called just after 10.30pm yesterday (Tuesday, August 26) to Mill Street Common after a fire in a tree at the rear of a property had quickly spread to nearby gorse.

A 200 by 80 metre patch gorse and trees was ablaze and at its height there were nine fire engines on scene with crews from 16 different stations involved over 12 hours.

Above: The nearby flames prompted around 20 residents to evacuate their homes voluntarily. Credit: Dean Rondel

Police advised nearby residents to stay indoors and close all doors and windows, but some 20 people chose to evacuate their homes while the fire was raging.

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Crews used five hose reel jets, two 45mm jets, breathing apparatus and thermal imaging cameras to bring the fire under control and prevent from spreading.

The flames were finally put out at 4.10am and a fire crew remained on site until 11.30am to dampen down any remaining hotspots and liaise with National Grid due to potential fire damage to power lines.

Above: The scene on Wednesday morning as a fire crew remains to check for hotspots and liaise with National Grid. Credit: Dean Rondel

There were no injuries reported and the initial cause of the tree fire has not been stated at this time.