by Alan Quick

FIRE crews from Witheridge and Tiverton were the first on the scene of a property fire at East End, Poughill, near Crediton, on Sunday, April 16.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service was called to attend the incident at 8.37am and on arrival the crews confirmed that smoke and flames were issuing from the property.

Two more appliances, one from Crediton and another from Danes Castle, Exeter, along with an incident command unit from Honiton attended to assist with the fire fighting.

Crews found the fire was on the first floor of the terraced property and got to work fighting the fire with four sets of breathing apparatus, a main jet, a safety jet, a thermal imaging camera and a compressed air foam jet.

Crews then requested another fire engine to attend for extra crew power and this was sent from North Tawton, bringing the total number of fire engines in attendance up to six.

The number of breathing apparatus wearers was increased to eight, working internally and externally.

Firefighters also fought the fire from the roof, using safety at height equipment, removing roof tiles.

In total 18 sets of breathing apparatus, three hose reel jets, a covering jet, a compressed air foam jet, a roof ladder and other ladders were used to fight the fire.

The cause of the fire was reported as "unknown" and an earlier fire service report that five dogs were lost in the fire was incorrect.

Mr Cengiz Khan, who rented the property and lived there with his wife and four children said the fire had destroyed everything they owned but that they were able to save their three dogs.

He said the fire started in a room off the lounge and he had tried to put it out with a bucket of water while his wife took the children outside, but he added that he was unable to stop the fire spreading.

Mr Khan said a smoke alarm alerted him to the blaze.

He confirmed that the family had lost everything except for the pyjamas they were wearing. He thanked neighbours for their support.

A pump remained at the scene for the rest of the morning to check for hotspots.