MORE than 20 firefighters were tackling a major scrapyard blaze in Newton Abbot this morning.

At least 25 cars were destroyed in the blaze on the Milber Industrial Estate which prompted numerous 999 calls from the public just before 6.30am.

Crews from the town were joined by colleagues from Paignton, Torquay and Totnes in fighting the flames. They wore wearing breathing gear and used attack jets and ground monitors to knock out the flames.

A fire spokesman said at least six cars were well alight by the time the first crews arrived at the scene.

Half-a-dozen cars were damaged together a further 20 stacked up in the yard.Just before 11am the fire spokesman added: ‘This incident is now under control and has been scaled down to two pumping appliances. ‘At the height of the fire this incident involved baled and crushed cars. Investigators are at the scene to try to establish the cause.‘The fire has been surrounded, but crews are using limited firefighting of two hosereel jets and two sets of breathing gear whilst the situation is assessed.’