SEVEN fire crews were alerted after a 999 call to deal with a thatched property in Shaldon over the weekend.

Some appliances rushing to the scene in Higher Ringmore Road on Sunday afternoon were stood down when it became apparent the roof was not in danger.

The alarm was raised at 5.20pm after drying clothes ignited on a fuel-burning stove.

A hose reel jet and safety jet were used to extinguish the blaze within half-an-hour.

A thermal imaging camera was used to check for hidden hotspots while a vent fan cleared smoke.

A fire spokesman said the matter was being treated as accidental. He confirmed that no thatch was affected during the incident.

Crews from Teignmouth, Torquay, Dawlish, Newton Abbot and Paignton were alerted together with an incident support unit from Totnes and a water bowser team from Torquay.