AS fire crews from across the county fight a fire which broke out in Exmouth town centre earlier today, the district council has announced it is on standby ready for the clear-up campaign.

AS fire crews from across the county fight a fire which broke out in Exmouth town centre earlier today, the district council has announced it is on standby ready for the clear-up campaign.

Earlier today, as the blaze raged inside Bargains Galore, on The Parade, district council staff manned the London Hotel car park, which was one of many police cordons put in place to protect shoppers and workers from inhaling acrid smoke which poured from the stricken building.

East Devon District Council's environmental health team were on standby in case their services were needed, and StreetScene staff remain on standby ready to clean up once the fire is brought under control and damped down.

A representative from the council's housing service attended the scene in case occupants evacuated from nearby flats were in need of temporary accommodation.

A district council spokesman said currently no requests for temporary re-housing had been received.

He said: "This may change during the evening as tenants return to Exmouth from working elsewhere.

"However, past experience shows that many are put up by friends or relatives unless they are unable to return to their home on a long-term basis.