FIRE crews have been battling a huge blaze at a barn in Martock this afternoon (August 4).

Fire Control received a call reporting a barn fire at Coat at around 10.20am. Two appliances from Martock and Somerton, plus a water carrier from Yeovil were sent to attend.

On arrival, crews requested a further two pumps to attend, one of which was required to use a hydrant to obtain water for the incident. Two further appliances from Yeovil were sent to assist.

A fire service spokesman said: "Crews confirmed one barn to be well alight containing silage and straw bales."

At around 10.40am, the Incident Commander requested back-up, totalling six appliances for support and manpower.

At around 11:00am the incident support unit and Salvation Army were called to attend to provide refreshments for crews. The incident support unit from Yeovil was sent to provide support for crews with additional equipment.

Three hose reel jets and a water shuttle was deployed to the blaze, using the Water Carrier and a Pumping appliance from open water at the scene.

Police and Ambulance teams were informed, with the Ambulance HART team in attendance.

Fire teams attended from Martock, Somerton, Yeovil, Ilminster and support appliances from Burnham, Yeovil and Street.

The fire service spokesman added: "At 11:40am the fire was surrounded. Crews anticipated scaling down of the incident to four pumps at 1pm.

"The barn contained approximately 3000 tonnes of silage, 450 tonnes of mixed straw and hay.

"At 12:27pm, the incident was stabilised and crews were reduced to three pumps."