Crews are still on the scene of an ongoing incident in Chard after a barn fire started in the early hours of the morning.

Devon and Somerset Fire Service were called shortly before 5am by the occupants of a property in Bishopswood Road, Buckland St Mary, saying a barn adjoining their home was alight.

Fire engines from Chard and Honiton and a water carrier from Bridgewater were deployed to the scene and Western Power requested to isolate the power supply to the barn.

The fire service received further calls from neighbouring properties and called in an additional pump from Ilminster for support.

At 5.27am the incident commander reported a two storey agricultural store with a slate roof was well alight.

A fire service spokesman said: “The fire was beginning to spread to an adjoining two storey farm cottage that had solar panels on its roof. Two breathing apparatus wearers had been committed to the roof space of the cottage to monitor and prevent the fire spreading to the domestic dwelling. One main jet and one safety jet were in use at this time.”

Shortly after 5.30am the commander requested two more pumping appliances from Axminster and Honiton to assist with supplying water.

At 6am, the operation was taking place in three sectors using two main jets and a safety jet to prevent the fire spreading to the house.

The latest update at 6.20am said power to the scene had been isolated.

The incident is still ongoing.