A SIDMOUTH fire engine had to be rescued by the fire service after it got stuck in a severe hail storm this morning. The fire engine, which was on its way to help residents in Toadpit Lane in West Hill, Ottery St Mary, got stuck at around 2 or 3am. Stuart

A SIDMOUTH fire engine had to be rescued by the fire service after it got stuck in a severe hail storm this morning.

The fire engine, which was on its way to help residents in Toadpit Lane in West Hill, Ottery St Mary, got stuck at around 2 or 3am.

Stuart Collings, Sidmouth Fire Station Manager, said: "We were on our way to a job to help people who were affected by the storm.

"We turned a corner and got bedded in about 18 inches of hail which was about 20 yards long."

A fire engine from Exmouth helped the firefighters out of their predicament by winching the engine out of the compact hail.

Stuart added: "We were stuck there for a good few hours and managed to get out of it by 5am this morning.

"It wasn't too bad as we were able to assist people in the area who needed help.

"All of the neighbours were very kind and made us cups of tea.