Firefighters were called out to a road between Sidmouth and Newton Poppleford, following reports of a digger fire.
Two engines from Sidmouth were called out to Northmostown, shortly before 3.30pm this afternoon, and began tackling the fire using breathing apparatus and a foam jet.
A spokesman from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said: “On arrival crews confirmed one 16 tonne excavator was severely damaged by fire.”
He added that crews requested assistance from the Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) after reports of fuel leaking from the vehicle into the River Otter.
An engine from Newton Abbot was called to deal with the leakage.
Shortly after 4pm, crews began to use two foam jets, they also made an improvised dam to stop the fuel entering the river.
The spokesman added: “The fuel did not go in the river so they were able to stop it.”
Fire crews returned to base shortly before 5pm.
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