OVER 100 firefighters from all over Devon, including crews from Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Dawlish, have been tackling another major blaze in Exeter.

Crews were called to Devon Contract Waste on the Marsh Barton Industrial Estate just after 11pm last night (March 1st).

On arrival the first crew reported smoke and flames issuing from the building and requested a further 2 fire engines to attend. Shortly after requesting the additional two fire engines an aerial ladder platform was also requested.

A fire spokesman said: "A keyholder for the premises was requested to attend as the crews could not gain access into the building. Two more fire engines were requested to attend due to the rapid development of the fire and the need for additional crew power.”

"The crews confirmed the building was well alight and that they were working using 6 breathing apparatus wearers, 2 hose reel jets and 3 45mm jets."

Just before midnight the incident was escalated to 15 fire engines as well as special appliances, but 20 minutes later this was escalated to a total of 20 fire engines as well as 3 aerial ladder platforms, an incident command unit, an environmental protection unit, 2 water bowsers, a high volume pump and various specialist officers.

In a statement on their website Simon Almond, Managing Director of Devon Contract Waste Ltd said "It is with a sad heart that I have to announce our enviro hub recycling plant in Marsh Barton has suffered a devastating fire tonight. "

"Thankfully due to the prompt actions of the fire officers and some of my very brave staff we saved our entire fleet of trucks.

Service for all our clients will be as normal and we have alternative arrangements in place to deal with all the waste.

It is however going to take 24 hours to get our phone systems switched to a new site so please bear with us. Thank you to all our staff for your support at this challenging time."

By 03.00 there had been a partial collapse of the building. Western Power were also in attendance trying to isolate an electricity sub station connected to the building.

By first light a 10 pump relief crew had been organised with appliances for across Devon and Somerset attending. However, by that point over 66% of the roof had collapsed into the main building.

According to a fir brigade spokesman: " By 09.17 the incident had been scaled back to six fire engines with three aerial ladder platform and a Manitou telehandler that was used to remove parts of the building."

Late in the afternoon the incident had been scaled down to two sectors with crews damping down the remains of the building.