'Potentially toxic' smoke billows from building near Ilchester
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue were called to the blaze at just after 6pm tonight (13 July)
Last updated 14th Jul 2023
Potentially toxic smoke has been billowing across Ilchester, Limington and Yeovilton tonight after a large fire on the outskirts of Ilchester.
Locals have been urged to keep all windows and doors shut.
The blaze started at around 6 o’clock between Ilchester and RNAS Yeovilton, and was reported to the fire service thanks to a report from a member of the public.
Seven engines, two water carriers and an aerial ladder were called out to the blaze.
When they received the call, the fire service's control immediately mobilised 3 Fire Appliances from Yeovil, Martock and Somerton along with a supporting officer.
Crews then requested a Water Carrier to attend which came from Yeovil, before asking for 'Make Pumps 5' for Breathing Apparatus and personnel when on the scene.
'Make Pumps 7' for Breathing Apparatus and personnel was then requested a short time later, and a second Water Carrier was then called to attend.
Updates by the fire service
At 21:35 this evening (13/07), in an update, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue added: @Crews are still working hard to extinguish the fire that is involving a commercial property measuring approximately 20 x 25 Metres.
"This is a single storey building with an internal mezzanine floor - the fire has spread throughout the commercial unit and has breached through the roof. The incident has been sectorised and Crews are fighting the fire externally.
"In Sector 1 crews are using 2 x Breathing Apparatus wearers, 1 x Hose Reel Jet, and 1 x 45mm attack Jet, Sector 2 crews are currently using 2 x 45mm attack jets - sector 3 is a watching brief to ensure fire spread is limited by firefighting actions in other sectors. and the Aerial Ladder Platform has been set up in sector 4 along with 1 x Breathing Apparatus wearer and 1 x 45mm attack jet.
"At this time on scene we have 7 Fire Engines. 2 Water Carriers. 1 Aerial Ladder Platform. Incident Command Vehicle from Street. Welfare Pod from Burnham On Sea. The Incident Support Unit from Martock. a range of officers and currently on route is the High Volume Pump from Wellington."
At 00:10 on Friday (14/07), they added: "We currently have a 4 pump relief strategy in place which have come from Taunton, Ilminster, Street and Sherborne - crews are still currently at work to extinguish the fire and prevent the fire from re-igniting and escalating. Crews are making good steady progress using the Aerial Ladder Platform as a water tower.
"Sector 2 is no longer an operational Firefighting sector so crews are still at work in sectors 1, 3 and 4."
At 04:00 on Friday (14/07), they added: "A further 2 pump relief has been sent to this incident to continue to damp down the area and prevent any possible chance of re-ignition. These 2 appliances have come from Axminster and Glastonbury.
"Once on scene crews were able to stand down the aerial ladder platform as it was deemed that it was no longer needed at the incident. At this time crews are using 1 x Hose Reel Jet and 1 x Thermal Imaging Camera to identify hotspots and extinguish them."
At 07:00 on Friday (14/07), they added: "We currently have 1 appliance left on scene monitoring hotspots and extinguishing them, shortly a 1 pump relief will be on scene, this has come from Somerton.
"This is to continue to monitor the temperature within the property and extinguish any further hotspots, we will likely have some form of presence on site throughout today and a final update on this incident will be posted in due course."