A 14 year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of causing a blaze that badly damaged five derelict cottages in Highbridge on Wednesday evening (March 18th).
Fire crews from across Somerset were sent to the cottages next to Clyce Road, which are known locally as Market Row and are sited next to the new YMCA building, at 5.30pm.
Smoke was seen billowing out of the empty properties, as flames flickered inside, and crews used water jets and other equipment to bring it under control.
A Police spokesman told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “At 5.35pm yesterday officers on patrol in Highbridge came across a fire on Clyde Road. The fire service were called and a number of local residents were evacuated as a precaution while the incident was dealt with.”
“Damage was caused to a number of buildings. We’re treating the fire as suspicious and are working with fire investigators to determine the cause. Specialist crime scene investigators will examine the scene while officers will also carry out house to house enquiries and review any CCTV footage from the area as part of our inquiry.”
“A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson and is currently in police custody. Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the Clyde Road area shortly before the incident is asked to call us on 101 and provide the call handler with the reference 5220064873.”
A fire service spokesperson added: “Fire control received several calls reporting smoke issuing from a derelict building. Two crews from Burnham and one from Bridgwater were sent. On arrival crews confirmed that the building was well alight.”
“Further fire engines from Bridgwater, as well as an Aerial Platform Ladder from Bridgwater and a Command Support Unit from Street, were also sent. Crews have been using main jets trying to extinguish the fire.”
“The incident involved a 2-storey terraced building of 5 derelict properties measuring approximately 30m x 10m constructed of brick and tile. 40% fire damage and 70% smoke damage caused to the property.”
“Crews used two breathing apparatus wearers, one hose reel jet, two main jets and small tools to extinguish the fire and a thermal image camera to check for hotspots.”
“Due to a suspicion of arson, Police also attended and a fire investigation officer will attend.”
Nearby residents described to Burnham-On-Sea.com seeing flames emerging from the shared roof of the terraced properties.
Eyewitness Ray Leach told Burnham-On-Sea.com at the scene: “I saw a huge amount of smoke initially and immediately thought ‘not the YMCA’. I went down to take a look and saw flames coming out of the top of the cottage roofs. We are all so relieved that the YMCA is not damaged.”
Another resident, Gill Rigby, told us: “The response from the fire service was just superb – it was a really fast and efficient turnout. We’re really relieved that the nearby houses and the new YMCA building have not been damaged.”
She added: “At one point, it was like fireworks going off – there was a lot of popping and bangs as the fire caused damage.”
The A38 has been closed through the evening by Police as emergency services deal with the incident. There were no injuries in the fire.
