This was the dramatic scene in Burnham-On-Sea early on Sunday morning (July 21st) when fire crews battled a ‘suspicious’ blaze which tore through a home.
Firefighters from Burnham, Bridgwater, Street and Wiveliscombe were called to the property in St John’s Road shortly after 4am.
“The detached domestic property was well alight when we arrived. We tackled it with four breathing apparatus wearers, one main jet and two hose reel jets,” a spokesman told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“Fire crews searched the ground floor, first floor and roof space with no-one believed to be inside.”
The cause is under investigation by the fire service and police, and a source at the scene said there are “suspicions that it had appeared to have been set deliberately.”
Nearby resident Tony Haggett told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We woke up to the sound of breaking glass and looked out to see flames leaping out of the downstairs windows. The fire quickly spread to the whole building.”
“The house has been empty for some time and we are pretty sure no-one was inside. The quick response of the fire brigade was superb – they had it under control within a few minutes.”
Crews said that 80% of the ground floor and 50% of the first floor had been damaged by fire and heat, while 20% of the roof space was damaged.
Two fire engines from Burnham plus a further two fire appliances from Bridgwater and an incident command vehicle from Street with a support appliance from Wiveliscombe attended.
Police have appealed for witnesses who saw anything suspicious to contact them via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or the non-emergency number 101.
