FIREFIGHTERS from Newton Abbot have joined the battle against a fire in former council offices in Sidmouth overnight.

Appliances from 12 fire stations have been at the former council offices in Knowle shortly after 4am.

Fire Control reports: ‘We received a call to reports of smoke in the area along with a small glow in the area of the above property. 

‘Control immediately mobilised a fire appliance from Sidmouth to investigate. 

‘Once on scene crews confirmed a fire involving the former council offices in Knowle well alight and made up for six pumping appliances and one aerial ladder platform. 

Crews are at work tackling the fire and we currently have eight fire appliances two aerial ladder platforms, one water bowser supporting appliances and supporting officers.’

Sidmouth
(Ed Dolphin)

In an update at 6.50am Fire Control said: ‘Currently on scene we have eight fire appliances, two aerial ladder platforms, two water bowsers, an Environmental Protection Unit, a Crew Welfare Unit, high volume pump module and supporting officers. ‘At this time crews are at work tackling a fire within a disused building that consists of several linked buildings where approximately a third of the building is involved in fire, this incident has been sectorised and crews are actively firefighting currently. ‘We ask at this time for all residents to keep windows and doors closed and to avoid the local area, we expect the local water supply to be disrupted. 

Sidmouth
(Ed Dolphin)

‘This incident is ongoing at this time and will be updated in due course.’

Update 2.40pm

Steady progress being made, firefighting taking place in two sectors using an aerial ladder platform to prevent fire spread to listed parts of the building. Cordons around the building remain in place.

Update 3.20pm

Steady progress continues, aerial ladder platform being used to dampen down hotspots from above.

Update 5:29pm

This incident is now scaling back but there will still be a fire service presence overnight. One aerial ladder platform is still in use damping down hot spots and steady progress is being made. 

Update 22:00 

This incident has been scaled back to 3 Fire Engines and 1 Aerial Ladder Platform, crews will remain on scene throughout the night damping down and ensuring no flare-ups of fire. crews are still at work make steady progress. High volume pump has been discontinued.

Update 7.30am, 31 March 2023

We have one appliance remaining at the scene and the road closures will be removed this morning.