VIDEO: Fire in Totnes closes road

A fire involving two outbuildings, a garden room, a storage shed and decking has caused the closure of the A381 in Totnes this evening. 

The fire, at the bottom of the A381 Western Bypass in Totnes, has required the road to be closed to vehicles after debris was thrown onto the carriageway. 

UPDATE: 5.9.23 @ 11am

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: "Police and the fire service were called to reports of explosions heard on St Johns Terrace, Totnes, at around 5.25pm on Monday 5 September. 

"On arrival, a garden shed was found to be on fire. It contained several large gas cylinders, petrol, and an air compressor, some which exploded.

"There were no reports of any injuries.

"A cordon was put in place for the safety of the public and to allow emergency services to deal with the incident.

"As part of the cordon, a number of properties were also evacuated for a short time.

"The shed was in a garden bordering the Western Bypass, A381, which was included in a number of local road closures.

"The roof of the shed was believed to contain asbestos. A section of the A381 remains closed as a containment, so that any ash debris can be cleared from the vicinity.

"The scene was handed over to highways just after 8am. 

"There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding this incident."

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said that while the fire wasn't "too significant", the debris on the road was causing concern and led to the road closure. 

Reports of loud bangs or explosions were heard in the area, and it is thought they were caused by paint tins or aerosols in the storage shed. Some cylinders at the scene were "removed and cooled" by the fire crews to make them safe. 

The spokesperson added that there were no injuries but the fire involved "two outbuildings, a garden room, a storage shed and decking, as well as some logs".

Devon Highways are now on scene and [DSFRS] will be handing the incident over to them.