Devon residents have near escape after 900 litres of fuel set their house on fire
Crews were called to the property in Chilsworthy at 6.40am this morning
Warnings have been issued after fuel from an oil tank set a house alight in Devon.
The owners of the property in Chilsworthy escaped out the back, after 900 litres of it spilled down their drive this morning.
It is believed the blaze started in a car and spread to the nearby oil tank.
Tavistock Fire Station say it is the second incident like this to have happened in the last 18 months.
They have urged the public to consider where you keep your oil tank (if you have one):
"This morning at 0640 both Tavistock's appliances and Bere Alston were called to a property fire in Chilsworthy along with a crew from Cornwall.
"A fire believed to have started in a car spread to an adjacent plastic oil tank.
"As the tank caught fire, the 900 litres of fuel ran down the drive and set fire to the owners garden, house and garage.
"Electric cables above the car were also involved.
"The residents of the property were alerted by a neighbour and escaped through the back of the house.
"Crews used a hose reel and breathing apparatus to extinguish the fires and checked the property with a thermal imaging camera.
"This is the second incident involving an oil tank catching fire in the last 18 months where it has caused serious damage to the property.
"On Saturday evening both our appliances as well as Bere Alston and Yelverton were all out on chimney fires.
"Tavistock’s first appliance went to support Bere Alston whilst Our second appliance went to Gulworthy.
"The majority of chimney fires can be avoided by simply getting them swept by a qualified chimney sweep on a regular basis and burning seasoned wood."