Pet dogs killed as fire destroys home next to Brean Down

Published: November 23, 2008
Pet dogs killed as fire destroys home next to Brean Down

Firefighters from across Somerset have been tackling a huge blaze that completely destroyed a home beside Brean Down on Sunday (November 23rd).

Fanned by strong onshore winds, flames tore through the wooden chalet close to Brean Down Bird Garden.

Fire engines from Burnham-On-Sea, Taunton, Bridgwater, Street and Weston were called to the scene at 3.46pm on Sunday afternoon, joined by police and ambulances.

Fire spokesman Paul Slavin told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "On arrival at the scene, the building was found to be well alight and due to the involvement of liquefied petroleum gas, the incident was scaled up."

"Crews used breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets and one main jet to extinguish the fire and cool down the gas cylinders."

"There was 95% damage to the chalet and unfortunately two dogs died at the incident. A fire investigation will be carried out to establish the cause of the fire."

The crews from Burnham were re-called to the incident at 7.09pm after it reignited and the fire was finally fully extinguished using one hose reel jet and drag forks.

Eyewitness Ken May, who was close to the property when the blaze first started, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "It was well alight just after 4pm when I was there - it was a terrible sight. The strong winds seemed to spread the flames very quickly."

Click here for video coverage from the scene