QUICK action by Newton Abbot fire crews prevented a car fire spreading to an adjacent house. 

The alarm was raised in the early hours of Friday to reports of a vehicle fire in the Barton Drive area. 

Two crews from Newton Abbot went to the scene after many 999 calls fearing the blaze would spread to the nearby property. 

A spokesman for Newton Abbot fire station said on arrival, the incident commander confirmed the car was well alight and flames were affecting the house. 

Two firefighters wore breathing gear while the crews started to tackle the fire. 

They used a hose reel jet to douse the flames. 

Car alight in Newton Abbot, Photo Newton Abbot Fire Station.
Car alight in Newton Abbot, Photo Newton Abbot Fire Station. (MDA NA Fire station)

A separate covering jet was also set up, charged with water and on standby in case the fire escalated into the building.

While those crews fought the car fire, and the fire that was spreading on the exterior of the building, another crew was committed into the house to gauge conditions inside. 

The spokesman said: ‘Thankfully, due to the alarm being raised early, the building only suffered light smoke logging in the loft space and first floor. 

‘The crew utilised Positive Pressure Ventilation using a battery driven fan to clear the smoke.

‘Crews also pitched a 10.5m ladder to the side of the building in order to remove parts of the guttering, facias, and soffits that had been affected by the fire. 

‘All persons living within the property were able to evacuate from the building and escaped uninjured prior to our arrival.’