A FARMER has thanked both his staff and firefighters after a massive blaze tore through livestock buildings at Court Place Farm, Withycombe.

Stephen Crossman, who rears pigs and grows potatoes and asparagus at the farm, said his workers had managed to lead all 300 pigs from two rearing units to safety.

"They acted well above and beyond the call of duty and thanks to the efforts of the staff and the prompt and professional response from the fire service we got all the pigs out," Mr Crossman.

As well as engulfing two of the pig nursery buildings, the fire also damaged two other buildings and a polytunnel and destroyed 200 bales of straw.

As reported in last week's Free Press, firefighters from Williton, Minehead, Porlock, Wiveliscombe, Taunton and Bridgwater were called to the farm just before 11.30am.

They used three main jets, one rose reel jets, compressed air and breathing apparatus to fight the fire.

They covered surrounding buildings with foam to prevent the flames spreading and used a mechanical digger to move the burning straw.

Crews remained on site until 8am the following morning.

A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the fire is believed to have started in an extractor fan in the roof of one of the pig rearing buildings.

Mr Crossman said the unit was fitted with an alarm system and staff were able to respond quickly to the blaze.

Photos: Steve Guscott