Nine fire crews from across Devon and Cornwall were needed to tackle a derelict farmhouse on fire in the early hours of Tuesday morning (November 1).

The alarm was raised at 3.25am as reports came in of the fire in Thornbury near Holsworthy.

Fire control mobilised three fire appliances from Holsworthy, Hatherleigh and Torrington along with an officer.

As people calling to report the fire were describing flames issuing from the roof, an aerial ladder platform from Barnstaple was then sent to the scene.

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On arrival, fire fighters found the abandoned farmhouse well alight, so more crews were requested, together with an environmental protection unit (EPU).

Appliances were sent from Bude and Okehampton along with the incident command unit from Ilfracombe and two further officers.

The EPU was mobilised from North Tawton with a support pump.

The residents of Woodacott Cross were advised to keep their windows and doors closed and the road between Woodacott Cross and Ley Cross was closed.

At 4am a water bowser was requested and this was sent from Barnstaple. A short while later, crews then requested the welfare unit which was mobilised from Crediton. 

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By 5am the fire was divided into two sectors and the fire was fought defensively. 

Half an hour later there was steady progress made in bringing fire under control using attack jets to extinguish the flames.

By 7am sonme crews could return to their stations while others continued to fight tehf ire defensively while hazardous materials, environmental and analytical risk assessments took place.

The incident was closed at 11.35am and there were no reported injuries. However, the farmhouse was destrpyed - 80 per cent damaged by fire and 20 per cent by heat and water.