Shocked residents are counting the cost of a major blaze which severely damaged two homes in Burnham-On-Sea during the early hours of today (Monday).
Ten homes were evacuated in Quantock Close as fire crews from across Somerset tackled the blaze which began shortly after 12.30am.
An electrical fault in an outbuilding is believed to have sparked the fire, which quickly spread to a nearby terrace of homes.
Resident Simon Izard, pictured this morning surveying the roof damage, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We are so fortunate that my brother came home late from work and spotted the fire before it had taken hold.”
“He raised the alarm and managed to carry out my nan from the house who is disabled and in her 60s. She was unhurt but really shaken up by the whole thing.”
“Four people were in the house at the time and it could have been even more serious.”
Simon, pictured below thanking his brother Peter, added: “Many of our possessions from the upstairs rooms have been lost – we’ve salvaged just 12 bags of things at the moment so it will take a long time to get over this.”
Two fire engines from Burnham were initially sent to Quantock Close at 12.38am amid reports of a fire in an outbuilding.
By 1am the fire had spread to the roof area of the terrace and police evacuated ten properties as a precaution.
By 1.15am, further fire engines from Bridgwater, Street and the aerial ladder platform from Taunton were sent to the scene after it was confirmed the fire was affecting two homes.
The ambulance service said an elderly female in her 60s who was suffering from smoke inhalation received treatment on scene.
The incident was not fully completed until 6.15am. Crews confirmed that the blaze had been started accidentally by an electrical fault in a fridge freezer.
