EXMOUTH firefighters were pitted against the elements when on Wednesday night they worked in heavy snowfall to tackle a fire which broke out in a Devon church.

EXMOUTH firefighters were pitted against the elements when on Wednesday night they worked in heavy snowfall to tackle a fire which broke out in Devon church.

Fire crews from Exmouth, Axminster, Colyton, Seaton and Honiton were called to Kilmimgton Baptist Church, in Shute Road, shortly after midnight, where they found the church and hall well alight.

Exmouth's incident command vehicle, support vehicle and specialist foam making equipment, and a water bowser from Exeter also attended.

Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used four hose reel jets, two main jets and height safety equipment while tackling the blaze.

Some two hours after the fire was reported 70 per cent of the roof and first floor was alight and 10 per cent of the ground floor was ablaze.

The fire crews were tackling the blaze from the exterior of the building, and roof.

By 4.15am 30 per cent of the ground floor was damaged by fire and the operation was scaled down.