Burnham-On-Sea firefighters were among 15 crew called to tackle a blaze at New Look in Cornhill, Bridgwater on Wednesday evening (March 13th).
Fire engines from Bridgwater and Burnham-On-Sea, along with the aerial ladder platform were initially sent to the property at 7.40pm.
A fire spokesman said: “The fire took place in a four storey property. The building measured approximately 15m by 45m and was constructed of stone and wood walls with a tiled roof. The building suffered 10% fire damage and 40% smoke damage.”
“There were twenty nine breathing apparatus wearers in total using two hose reel jets, two main jets, four fog nails, a thermal imaging camera, and snake camera, ladder and working platforms.”
On their arrival, crews confirmed this to be a fire involving the store and the floors above. At 8pm the Officer In Charge increased the pumps in attendance to five from Burnham-On-Sea and Taunton, along with an Incident Command Unit from Street and supporting officers.
“This was a fire within a four-storey residential building with commercial property below.  At 8.31pm, the Officer In Charge increased the pumps to nine for breathing apparatus and personnel. The fire engines came from Nether Stowey, Taunton and Glastonbury.”
“It was a fire in a mid terrace shop at ground and first floor levels in voided construction. There was heavy smoke logging to the upper floors and adjacent properties. Fire crews were at work with 4 attack jets, 4 safety jets, 2 covering jets, 4 fog spikes and 12 breathing apparatus wearers.”
“By 9:45pm the Officer In Charge increased the pumps to 15 and an additional aerial ladder platform was required. These came from Wellington, Street, Cheddar, Somerton, Ilminster and the aerial ladder platform from Yeovil.”
Various other agencies attended throughout the evening, including Police, Ambulance and Western Power.
Crews carried out a full search of the building to check for fire spread, and all persons were accounted and there were no injuries. By 2am on Thursday, the ‘stop message’ was issued.
Pictured: Crews at the scene of the blaze on Wedenesday (Photos: Michael Lamper)
