Train halted as firefighters tackle timber barn blaze at Bradninch

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Exeter Express and Echo:

Firefighters tackled a large blaze at a barn near Exeter.

The incident happened at the top of Parsonage Street, in Bradninch.

Trains travelling on a nearby railway line were halted as fire crews attempted to put out the fire.

Fire engines from Exeter's Danes Castle and Middlemoor fire stations attended, along with further appliances from Cullompton and Tiverton.

Firefighters arrived at the scene to discover a timber barn was well alight. Gas cylinders were believed to be in the building

A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: "Two appliances from Cullompton and Middlemoor were mobilised following several reports of a building on fire in Parsonage Street, Bradninch. A water bowser was also mobilised from Exeter Danes Castle station.

"A further call suggested there may be cylinders involved, so an additional appliance from Tiverton was mobilised.

"Due to the proximity of the structure to the mainline railway line, a stop for all trains was placed on the line to allow crews to work safely.

"Four propane cylinders were believed to be involved in the fire, but following checks using a thermal imaging camera these were declared to be safe."

The barn was severely damaged by the fire, the cause of which is not yet known.