Road closed by tractor fire

The Salcombe Road is closed at the Malborough petrol station after a tractor fire near Ashby's. 

Ashby's of Kingsbridge and Salcombe posted a video (see below) to their social media and said that it was a tractor and trailer on fire.

They added that the fire was now out thanks to fire crews, but the road surface was damaged and therefore the road would be closed for a while longer.

The back lanes are struggling so avoid the area if you can. 

Kingsbridge Fire Station crew are on scene alongside Salcombe Fire Station, Greenbank Fire Station and a water bowser from Plympton Fire Station.

A spokesperson for the station said: "Just before 3pm this afternoon we were mobilised by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service to a tractor fire with trailer currently not involved.

"En-route we could see a large plume of thick acrid black smoke and could confirm that the tractor was well alight, with all person age and clear, as we booked in attendance.

"Our crew swiftly set to work with 2 hose-reel jets to initially defensively attack the fire to reduce the spread of the fire to surrounding hedge rows and field crops.

"We then used 4 breathing apparatus sets, one compressed air foam system (CAFS) main jet and a further hose-reel jet (total now 3) to fully attack the vehicle fire.

"Once the CAFS was in operation we quickly surrounded and extinguished the fire preventing spread to surrounding headgear row and fields.

"The extremely hot weather made for arduous working conditions in the afternoon sun and we would like to make a special thank you to both an off duty crew member from Modbury Fire Station and Co-op for bringing us supplies of drinking water and some sugary snacks.

"Vehicle recovery has started but the road is likely to remain closed for a further period whilst vehicular fluid is cleared away and damage to the asphalt is assessed by Highways."

Photo credit: Kingsbridge Fire Station