AN agricultural building in Shebbear has been destroyed by a blaze.

The incident happened during the afternoon of Sunday, May 18, and saw a response from several fire stations in order to extinguish it.

Fire crews from nine stations, namely Ilfracombe, Appledore, Bideford, Hatherleigh, Okehampton, South Molton, Torrington, Danes Castle and Crediton fire stations were involved in the response, which took several hours to successfully extinguish.

An agricultural building measuring 60 metres by 40 metres in size was the property affected by the fire, which Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said was ‘100 per cent’ damaged by fire, with a report at 10pm later stating that the fire had been put out by the crews in attendance.

The fire was widely visible with multiple calls received by the fire control at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service both before and during the incident.

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: “Multiple calls were received into fire control around 3.11pm on Sunday, May 18 to report an agricultural fire in the area of Shebbear.

“Two fire engines and a water bowser were initially mobilised with Fire Control mobilising additional fire engines to attend due to information from the further calls received.

“Upon attendance from the first fire engine, fire crews made up for more appliances; taking this to a total of six.”

A later update from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service at 6.26pm stated that: “Range of farm buildings measuring 60 metres by 40 metres were involved in fire. Crews damping down and steady progress being made.

Final details at 10pm noted that: “Agricultural buildings measuring 60 metres by 40 metres were 100 per cent damaged by fire. Two breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets, one compressed air foam jet and one thermal imaging camera were used.”