ALL three emergency services were called to a property in the heart of Ipplepen after a man was found dead in bizarre and bloody circumstances.

It’s understood those who witnessed the traumatic scene were offered prompt counselling in the wake of the tragedy involving the suspected suicide of a man at an address in the East Street area of the village.

The alarm was raised late on Tuesday night with police, paramedics and later firefighters attending the newly-built terraced home.

Police confirmed officers were called to a house where a man was found deceased. Next of kin have been informed.

It’s thought the occupant, reckoned to be middle-aged, may have lived alone at the address which has since been boarded up with curtains drawn.

Village talk revealed that a tent had been curiously erected inside the property where the un-named man was found in ‘extremely unusual circumstances.’

Details of the gruesome scene are known, but are deemed too upsetting to be revealed.

More than 20 firefighters in five pumps from Newton Abbot, Torquay and Taunton were among those called to the location amid fears the death might have involved the use of chemicals.

Hazardous materials units responded to a police call for assistance at 12.25am on Wednesday together with regular crews. Several police patrol cars and ambulances were also parked up while most of the local population remained oblivious to the drama unfolding in their neighbourhood.

Specialist firefighters remained on stand-by, but their expert services were not required once the circumstances of the tragedy were fully known.

Few people in the village were aware of the sad episode enacted in their midst – even after the substantial numbers of the emergency services in attendance departed in the early hours of Wednesday.

Alistair Dewhirst, deputy leader of Teignbridge Council and an Ipplepen resident who lives near the house at the centre of attention, said after hearing of the incident: ‘Obviously, I’m shocked – and I know all of the local community will be greatly saddened by the news.’

He added: ‘Perhaps, it may have helped if the gentleman concerned could have spoken with people locally who might have been able to help him.’

‘I am so sorry for his family and neighbours who must have been absolutely devastated by what happened.’

South Devon’s coroner has been informed of the matter. An inquest is likely to open soon to confirm the identity of the man.