THANKS have been expressed to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue and the local community for their support during a fire on Thursday night, July 8, at Broomhills Farm, Staddon Road, Holsworthy.

Fire control received multiple calls at 1am to a barn fire on Staddon Road in Holsworthy.

Initially one fire engine from Holsworthy, one fire engine from Hatherleigh and a water carrier from Barnstaple attended the incident alongside officers.

On arrival, crews confirmed the barn, containing 80 tonnes of hay and straw, was well alight. They requested extra resources to attend for support from extra crews and water. Cornwall Fire Service assisted the incident with two fire engines, one from Bude and one from Launceston.

Western Power was able to isolate the electrics to the property, at which point crews were able to assist moving cattle from an adjacent barn to a place of safety.

Crews tackled the fire using two breathing apparatus, two compressed air foam jets, three jets using water from a water shuttle and dam.

After three hours of firefighting, relief crews were sent from Okehampton and Bideford.

Following the incident Adelaine Chandler said: “Everyone at Broomhills Farm would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has helped over the last two days since our straw shed went up in flames on Thursday night.

“Thank you to all the retained fire fighters who worked with us all night, then did their day jobs, then came back to us in the evening. We’ve had fire fighters on site monitoring the situation for 36 hours.

“Thank you to the neighbours who saw the glow in the middle of the night and came to check we were okay and who have checked in with us since and to everyone else who has rung and messaged with offers of help, Penbode Vets for having a contingency plan if we needed them, to the great service of Western Power and to our family, we are very grateful to live in such a close community.”