Blaze sets caravan and sheds alight in Watchet - crews think it could have been deliberate

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were called to the fire last night, and police have been notified

The fire at Helwell Bay
Author: Oliver MorganPublished 29th Dec 2022
Last updated 29th Dec 2022

A large blaze set alight two sheds and a caravan late last night - in an incident the fire service believe could have been started deliberately.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said they were called to the scene following a number of reports to the incident over at Helwell Bay - which originally involved just the sheds.

Initially, two fire engines were mobilised to the scene from the Wilton fire station, with a third appliance from Minehead quickly also dispatched by their control room, as well as a supporting officer.

Shortly after arriving on the scene, a fourth engine along with a water carrier was also dispatched to the caravan site from Bridgwater.

The fire at Helwell Bay

At 9.05pm last night (28 December), the service said 4 people had to put on breathing apparatus at the height of the blaze, with the rescuers later using three attack jets and a hose reel to try and dampen it down.

Power lines are also reported to have been involved in the fire - but there are no reports of power outages this morning.

They used a thermal imaging camera to track the course of the fire, with local residents at the time advised by the emergency service to keep all windows and doors closed.

At 12.36am, the fire service closed the incident on their live webpage.

In their final update of the incident, they said: "Crews confirmed fire is now out. This fire involved sheds and a static caravan which was completely destroyed by fire. Crews used 4 BA, 3 attack jets, 1 hose reel jet, 1 thermal imaging camera and a gas monitor throughout the incident.

"Water was supplied to the incident through a suitable hydrant so the water bowser was stood down on route. Crews believed this fire to have been set deliberately so Police have been made aware."

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