Two chimney fires at thatched properties in North Devon

Fire crews attended two separate incidents at Chulmleigh and Welcombe yesterday.

THREE fire engines were called to a thatched property in Chulmleigh early yesterday evening (Thurs) to reports of a fire.

The chimney and the lintel above a wood burner were reported to be involved in the blaze and fire engines from Chulmleigh, Witheridge and South Molton attended at around 6pm.

The timber beam was heavily involved in the blaze and crews used small tools to cut it away, as well as a hose reel jet to extinguish the flames.

In a separate incident at 7.15pm, fire crews from Hartland and Bude were called to reports of a chimney fire at a pub in Welcombe.

The pub had a thatched roof and crews extinguished the fire using chimney rods and small tools.