FIRE broke out in a Tudor manor house on Washford Hill, Williton, in the early hours of this morning.

A firefighting crew from Williton was first on the scene at 4.42am of what was thought to have started as a chimney fire, and then called for a second fire engine and the aerial ladder platform, which came from Bridgwater, to reach the roof. 

The crews set to work with a hose-reel jet to fight the fire from the loft space.  

At 6.45am, another appliance for additional personnel was sent from Minehead and about an hour later the crews called for an additional two fire engines, which came from Wiveliscombe and Taunton

By then the blaze had spread to the ground floor and first floor walls, and was deep-seated within the timber structure. 

This was investigated by breaking into walls and using a snake-eye camera along with a fog spike to extinguish the fire within the walls.

With the fire believed to be out and being monitored at 9.50am, the crews began cutting away and damping down. 

Three fire appliances were relieved by Dulverton, Witheridge and Chard. 

The fire was across the second floor and first floor levels and within the chimney. Approximately five per cent fire damage was caused to the property and 30 per cent smoke damage along with minor water damage.