QUICK-thinking staff at a Minehead nursery evacuated a total of 27 children in just 38 seconds after fire broke out in a kitchen area on Tuesday morning.

A roast chicken lunch was being prepared for the youngsters and nine employees by Michael Foster - father of Cheeky Cherubs nursery owner Jo Buck - when he spotted smoke coming from the cooker at about 11.15am.

He raised the alarm as soon as he realised the seriousness of the situation and the well-drilled team from the nursery, which is based at the Alcombe Children's Centre, sprung into action.

"We've practised it many, many times but even though this was for real, the staff remained very calm," said Jo.

"They were absolutely brilliant and we had the children - who were aged from four months to five years - outside the building in 38 seconds."

Within minutes the smoke had turned to flames, which were very soon licking the ceiling of the kitchen.

Firefighters from Minehead and Williton were quickly on the scene and used jets, breathing apparatus and a thermal imaging camera to bring the incident under control.

But the blaze left the kitchen area severely damaged by fire, with enough smoke damage to the adjacent classroom to put it out of action for the next three weeks.

"It was heartbreaking to stand on the grass and just watch everything happening," said Jo.

"I had to close the door not knowing when I would be able to get back in and not knowing the extent of the damage."

Although the nursery was closed on Wednesday, it was able to re-open yesterday (Thursday) using other rooms in the children's centre.

And a number of organisations played their part in ensuring the drama wasn't turned into a crisis.

On the day of the incident, the neighbouring Seahorse Centre, which provides a range of services for adults with learning difficulties, opened its doors to the evacuated children.

"They provided drinks and biscuits and a place for the children to be while they waited for their parents to pick them up," said Jo.

"And when the fire crew from Williton had finished at the nursery, they took one of the station's engines round to the centre so the youngsters could have a little play on it.

"I can't thank everyone enough for the help they gave us on the day - they were so kind.

"And I want to say a very big thank you to my staff for the incredible way they dealt with the situation.

"The fire brigade said we did everything right and praised our swift response - they said there was nothing else we could have done.

"The only casualty was the chicken, which was pretty charred.

"Amazingly, the roast potatoes were pretty undercooked - even the firemen remarked on how pale they were!

"The incident could have been a lot worse and we're just very glad that it wasn't and that all our training and practising for something like this paid off."

The building is owned by West Somerset Council but leased to Somerset County Council.

A county council spokesman said the staff and children should be praised for their "sterling work" when the fire broke out.

"The situation was dealt with calmly and professionally and initial reports have suggested that the entire building was evacuated in under a minute," he said.

"All involved can be proud of their conduct."

Investigations into the cause of the fire are still being carried out but it is believed to be due to an electrical fault.