FIREFIGHTERS from Nether Stowey were called to a garden fire which engulfed a rural village house in the early hours of Saturday (August 10).

They were among crews from 11 fire stations across Somerset mobilised to tackle the blaze as it rapidly escalated.

The alert came shortly before 2.15 am when residents spotted a lawn was on fire and flames were spreading toward the detached house and outbuilding.

As the first firefighting team arrived at the property in North Curry it was catching alight and two backup crews were called plus a water carrier and aerial ladder platform.

However, the fire spread to the roof and the crews used a hose reel jet and a main jet, while two donned breathing apparatus to fight the flames.

Two more appliances were requested, while police closed the road passing the property, and engineers isolated overhead power lines.

The crews estimated one-fifth of the ground floor was well alight, 10 per cent of the first floor, and five per cent of the roof.

There was also concern over an external oil tank as the crews worked with two main jets and a hose reel jet.

More appliances were requested and after about six hours the blaze was out and crews started removing roof tiles to expose any hot spots as well as turning over and dampening down inside the property using gas monitors and a hose reel jet.

Three fire engines and a water carrier were left in attendance in case of any flare up.