Crews tackle derelict building fire in Sidmouth

Firefighters are currently tackling a blaze at a derelict building in Sidmouth.

The incident is ongoing at Knowle Drive, with teams first called at around 4.11am this morning (Thursday 30 March).

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue urging residents to keep windows and doors closed and to avoid the area. They add that water supply may be interrupted.

Crews from 12 different stations are currently on the scene.

An update on the fire service's website says: "Fire Control received a call to reports of smoke in the area along with a small glow in the area of the above property.

"Control immediately mobilised 1 Fire Appliance from Sidmouth to investigate.

"Once on scene crews confirmed 1 derelict property well alight and made up for 6 Pumping Appliances and 1 Aerial Ladder Platform.

"Crews are at work tackling the fire and we currently have 8 Fire Appliances 2 Aerial Ladder Platforms 1 Water Bowser Supporting Appliances and Supporting Officers."

Update 06.50am

"Currently on scene we have 8 Fire Appliances, 2 Aerial Ladder Platforms, 2 Water Bowsers, An Environmental Protection Unit, A Crew Welfare Unit, High Volume Pump Module, and supporting officers.

"At this time crews are at work tackling a fire within a disused building that consists of several linked buildings where approximately 1/3 of the building is involved in fire, this incident has been sectorised and crews are actively firefighting currently.

"We ask at this time for all residents to keep windows and doors closed and to avoid the local area, we expect the local water supply to be disrupted.

"This incident is ongoing at this time and will be updated in due course."

Update 8.45am

"Work is continuing to prevent the escalation of the fire with water jets operating from three sides of the building."

Update 10.00am

"We have seven pumping appliances, two aerial ladder platforms and water bowsers at the scene. A high volume pump is being used to extract water from the Quay to supply crews at the incident. The hose runs from the Quay, up Station Road to The Knowle and road closures will be in place for several hours so please avoid the area.

"We are liaising with experts as protected bats are known to be in the area."

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.