EIGHT fire engines from Chard, Ilminster, Crewkerne, Axminster, Honiton and Taunton have been tackling a thatched roof fire at a property in Cuttifords Door near Chard this evening, (March 30).

Crews were alerted to the incident at 7.18pm and on arrival various specialist appliances including a water carrier and aerial ladder platform were also requested to attend.

Breathing apparatus sets, a hose reel jet and a compressed air foam jet were used to tackle the blaze.

A structural engineer has was requested to attend the incident as there are concerns over the safety of the chimney.

Crews were working well into the early hours of this morning, (March 31) weather conditions made it difficult as did unsafe conditions.

At 5am this morning the entire roof had collapsed into the first floor and crews were still dampening down using three main jets.