Six fire crews at the scene of blaze at Ottery Pine Shop. Picture: Clarissa Place (Image: Clarissa Place)
Thirty firefighters have worked hard to contain the blaze and bring it under control
The fire that broke out above The Pine Shop, Ottery. Picture: Jeff Abbott (Image: Archant)
A large fire has broken out and ripped through the roof of a shop in Ottery St Mary.
Ottery’s town centre was brought to a standstill after the blaze broke out at The Pine Store this morning (Friday).
Six fire crews are at the scene and it has been reported that the fire is on the second floor and roof of the building.
The cause is not yet known.
The fire that broke out above The Pine Shop, Ottery. Picture: Jeff Abbott (Image: Archant)
Residents have taken to Facebook to share their photos and videos of the flames billowing through the roof and smoke rising high into the sky and around the town centre.
Alan Gilson is the incident commander at the scene.
He said: “I got the call at about 9am, the initial crew picked up at about 8.50am. The initial report was of a fire in the roof.
“Three pumps were initially called and they requested the aerial appliance as well, as it was a roof fire. My crew have worked extremely hard and professionally to contain the fire from spreading to the nearest properties.”
Fire crews tackling blaze in Ottery St Mary. Picture: Clarissa Place (Image: Clarissa Place)
The fire that broke out above The Pine Shop, Ottery. Picture: Jeff Abbott (Image: Archant)
At this point firefighters are damping down hot-spots and making sure there the fire is completely out.
There are about 30 firefighters at the scene but the number of fire engines will be reduced to four soon.
There have been some evacuations as a precaution but no injuries.
Fire crews in action at The Pine Shop Ottery. Picture: Clarissa Place (Image: Clarissa Place)
An occupant of one of the flats in one of the neighbouring buildings was at work at Sainsbury’s.when her colleagues told her what was happening.
She said: “They asked me where I lived and what flat I lived in.
“They said the flat above the pine shop was on fire and I legged it to the scene.”
Fire at Ottery St Mary. Picture: Kerry Drew (Image: Kerry Drew)
Ros Browne was on her way to work when she saw the fire.
Fire at Ottery St Mary. Picture: Kerry Drew (Image: Kerry Drew)
She said: “I thought it was just that a chimney was quite smokey.”
Realising that it was more serious than that, she ran across to Pearson’s and asked them to phone 999.
She then rang Martin Shaw, who owns The Pine Store, and told him: “The flat above your shop is on fire.”
Local roads remain closed and all the neighbouring businesses have shut up shop for the time being.
Fire at Ottery St Mary. Picture: Kerry Drew (Image: Kerry Drew)
A structural engineer from East Devon District Council has been taken up in the aerial appliance to assess the condition of the roof and chimney stack. There is some concern over the stack as it is leaning into the building.
Do you have any pictures or videos? Please send them to callum.lawton@archant.co.uk or on Facebook at Sid Herald.
Fire at Ottery St Mary. Picture: Kerry Drew (Image: Kerry Drew)
Fire at Ottery St Mary. Picture: Kerry Drew (Image: Kerry Drew)
Fire at Ottery St Mary. Picture: Kerry Drew (Image: Kerry Drew)
Fire at Ottery St Mary. Picture: Kerry Drew (Image: Kerry Drew)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1488. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1486. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1484. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1482. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1473. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1477. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1471. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1466. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1464. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1461. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1460. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1458. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1456. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1454. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1452. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1450. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1448. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1446. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1444. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1443. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1441. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1439. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
A Fire broke out in a flat above The Pine Store, Broad Street, Ottery St Mary. Ref sho 37 18TI 1437. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)
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