LIVESTOCK had to be moved away from a barn fire amid fears of an explosion.

Fire crews from Witheridge, two from Tiverton and the water Bowswer from Exeter were sent to the incident at Pennymoor, Tiverton, at 11.20pm yesterday (Sunday, April 24).

The building, which was used as a workshop, was well alight by the time firefighters arrived at the scene.

The animals were moved from an adjacent building.

A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "The workshop also contained gas cylinders believed to be acetylene, argon and butane.

"To deal with the incident crews are using compressed air foam monitors, two main jets and a thermal image camera."

The barn, which measured approximately 20 metres by 10 metres, contained vehicles, cylinders and workshop tools, which have all been severely damaged in the fire.

Crews used two main jets, one compressed air foam branch, and a thermal image camera as they extinguished the fire.