Firefighters from Street were among multiple crews from across Devon and Somerset to tackle a blaze at the former NatWest bank in Crewkerne yesterday (February 22).

At around noon, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they were in attendance at a large fire in the former bank in Crewkerne town centre.

Initially they had 14 fire engines and various specialist vehicles and officers, including crews from Crewkerne, Yeovil, Taunton, Chard, Street, Martock, Ilminster, Sherborne, Axminster, Somerton, Wincanton and Bovey Tracey. The police and ambulance service were also in attendance.

By 5.15pm, the incident was scaling down and relief fire engines came from Honiton, Street, Colyton, Cullompton, Wellington and Wiveliscombe.

Crews made an opening in the roof space to assist in ventilating the property and locating the location of the fire. Crews were using breathing apparatus and hose reel jets.

By 6.15pm, the incident had been scaled down to three appliances and the aerial ladder platform.

Crews were still at work at 7.30pm with the aerial ladder platform cutting away the roof to gain access, also small tools were being used to also gain access to damp down the property.

The building was 80 per cent damaged by fire and heat on the roof and third floor, and the rest of the building was 100 per cent damaged by smoke.

Equipment used included three hose reel jets, one safety jet one covering jet, a thermal image camera, ladders, aerial ladder platform, breathing apparatus and the police drone.

At 7am this morning, an appliance from Crewkerne was in attendance at the scene for a revisit to check the scene.

Scenes of Crime Officers and a Fire Investigation Officer will be attending the scene today to carry out an investigation into the cause of the fire.