FIREFIGHTERS from Newton Abbot and Bovey Tracey assisted their colleagues from Exeter and East Devon tackling a commercial building fire in Exeter last night.

Initially three crews responded to the blaze at the derelict building, but due to the size of the flames, that were visible from nearly a mile away, the Incident Commander asked for additional firefighting resources.

A spokesman from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Fire control took received several calls reporting a large fire within a derelict building in Water Lane just before 10pm last night.’

Fire crews at the scene of last night's fire at a derelict commercial property in Exeter Photo:DanesCastleFireStation
Fire crews at the scene of last night's fire at a derelict commercial property in Exeter Photo:DanesCastleFireStation (DSFRS)

‘A total of eight fire engines and several specialist appliances, including an aerial platform and drone unit, tackled the blaze within the 40m x 80m premises. Despite being faced with a significant fire, the building was saved and no injuries were reported.’

By 11.30pm the main seat of fire had been extinguished and crews left the scene at 1.05am.

A fire investigation officer is expected to attend the scene this morning (Tuesday) to establish the cause of the fire.