MORE than 80 firefighters dealt with two major fires in the open in West Somerset on Monday (August 25) as tinder-dry conditions continued to pose a threat.

A huge blaze in Washford saw 23 residents checked for smoke inhalation and one house and several back garden sheds were damaged.

The fire in Verdun Terrace, which broke out shortly after 1.30 pm, spread across the gardens of 18 homes and destroyed 20 acres of field stubble and hedgerows.

The West Somerset Railway had to temporarily halt its trains while fire crews tackled the blaze and the road at Willow Grove was closed.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue (DSFR) sent 10 pumping appliances plus special appliances from stations across the two counties, and fire crews used water jets, beaters, special off-road appliances, and portable water packs to extinguish the outbreak.

Less than an hour later, DSFR had to mobilise seven pumping appliances plus special appliances to North Hill, Minehead, where a bonfire in a back garden had become out of control and spread to grass and woodland on a steep incline behind the property.

The flames were fanned by strong winds and the crews battled until nearly midnight to make sure no buildings became involved in the fire.

They used water jets, beaters, and portable water packs to extinguish the fire.

Fire crews were still dampening down deep-seated hotspots on Tuesday morning.

Water and snacks for the fire crews was given by Minehead’s Morrisons supermarket and the three Co-op stores in Watchet.

The refreshments were distributed across the three locations to which the firefighters were deployed by former Williton fireman Adrian Rutter.

Mr Rutter said: “As an ex-fighter I know what it is like working in these heat conditions.

“Thank you so much to all the local businesses that have supported DSFR service today.”