FIREFIGHTERS from Minehead and Bridgwater were called when a large vehicle caught alight on the A39 in West Somerset on Sunday (May 8).

The incident happened in a layby near Carhampton when a fire was spotted in a parked telehandler, a multi-purpose machine which can be used on farms and building and industrial sites to lift, move, and place materials.

A 999 call to the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service control room was made at about 11.10 am.

Both Minehead fire crews were quickly on the scene and discovered the vehicle’s engine compartment was alight.

They called for support from the brigade’s Bridgwater station, which sent a water carrier to the incident.

The crews worked with a hose reel jet, small tools, and a hydraulic ram to put out the fire and a thermal imaging camera to check for any hotspots.

It took about an hour to deal with the incident and the cause was confirmed as accidental.