Axminster residents evacuated as huge fire broke out

As previously reported, a huge cloud of smoke was seen coming from the junction of South Street and Lyme Street.

Surrounding properties were evacuated due to the large amount of smoke being produced by the fire.

Residents were evacuated due to the huge amount of smoke (Image: Axminster Fire Station)A huge smoke cloud came out of the building (Image: Axminster Fire Station)

Firefighters, paramedics and police raced to the scene at around 3.15pm on Tuesday, May 15.

The fire destroyed an outbuilding, which was a kitchen storage area for the Golden House restaurant on the corner of South Street and Lyme Street.

There were no casualties and no other properties were affected.

Five fire engines tackled the blaze (Image: Axminster Fire Station)

Police and paramedics joined the firefighters (Image: Axminster Fire Station)

The cause of the fire is believed to have been accidental.

Three fire crews from Axminster, Colyton, Charmouth and Yeovil were called to tackle the blaze.

Fire crews tackled the blaze in the kitchen stoarge unit (Image: Axminster Fire Station)

The fire was extinguished at around 5.10pm.

A fire service spokesperson said the outbuilding storage area was "100 per cent damaged" by the fire with 20 per cent smoke damage affecting the nearby houses and businesses.

The building was completely damaged by the fire (Image: Axminster Fire Station)

The fire tore through the kitchen storage unit (Image: Axminster Fire Station)

All residents that were evacuated were then able to return to their homes.

A spokesperson for Axminster Fire Station said: "Fire control received multiple reports to a fire at a Retail premises on the Lyme Road/South Street junction.

"Control immediately mobilised Axminster to attend alongside Colyton Fire Station, Charmouth Fire Station the Aerial Ladder Platform from Yeovil Fire Station and a supporting officer.

"Shortly after this information the incident commander made the decision to stand the Aerial Ladder Platform from Yeovil down as it was no longer required at the incident.

Emergency services rushed to the scene (Image: Axminster Fire Station)

"Crews then confirmed they were making steady progress and were in the process of removing the tiles from the roof to expose any unidentified fire spread.

"Our crews will conduct a revisit at 8pm this evening to inspect the premises and to damp down any remaining hotspots if required."

One business which was affected by the fire was the Jurassic Coast Cleaning Company.

Owners said the situation was "very scary", but thanked the fire service for their response.

A spokesperson for the company said: "Massive shout out & thanks to our emergency services for their prompt & efficient actions on dealing with today's emergency.

"Dealing with the blaze in another business's building directly behind our office.

"It was a very scary situation with flames very very close to our office & several domestic homes.

"Thanks again to all who responded."