Woodbury Common fire brought under control - investigation begins

SCORES of firefighters tackled a blaze which raged across more than 100 hectacres of land on Woodbury Common. Crews were called to the area at around 3.20pm yesterday, April 20. A total of 16 appliances attended and remained at the scene until 5.44am when

SCORES of firefighters tackled a blaze which raged across more than 100 hectacres of land on Woodbury Common.

Crews were called to the area at around 3.20pm yesterday, April 20. A total of 16 appliances attended and remained at the scene until 5.44am when the fire was brought under control.

Clouds of smoke were visible from several miles away when the blaze started.

John Varley, estates director of Clinton Devon Estates, owners of the land, said they were lucky nobody was hurt as a result of the fire.

He said: "It was a close-run thing regarding the fire spreading to neighbouring property and the rest of the heaths."

Mr Varley said 200 acres were burnt out of the 2,800 acres of land.

Pete Smith, the incident commander, in charge of overseeing the large-scale operation, said there were gusting winds of about six knots which did not help efforts in bringing the blaze under control.

Four appliances from Exmouth, Middlemoor, Budleigh Salterton and Topsham, attended the incident. Eighteen water jets, hoses and beaters, were used to douse the flames.

Devon and Somerset Fire Authority and Clinton Devon Estates are currently investigating the cause of the fire.