FIREFIGHTERS from across the area were called to a potentially explosive situation near Watchet last Thursday morning when fire broke out in a paint workshop. Crews from Williton, Minehead and Wiveliscombe were among the first to arrive at Crossways Industrial Estate and called for back-up after discovering gas cylinders were involved in the blaze. Further appliances from Taunton, Bridgwater and Street were mobilised. At one stage firefighters had to pull back and assess the scene after the fire began to spread to an adjacent building. They used one main jet, foam jets and water shuttles to tackle the fire, as well as a hose reel jet to keep the cylinders cool. A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said that on the way to the incident the officer in charge of the Williton appliance asked for a further three appliances and a water bowser after seeing heavy plumes of smoke. "On arrival crews confirmed a fire involving a spray paint booth and gas cylinders which they started to extinguish using foam jets but had to withdraw to set up a ground monitor and survey the adjacent building which was also becoming involved." The fire took two hours to extinguish and was believed to have been started accidentally.