FIREFIGHTERS from Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot and Torquay this afternoon (MARCH 21) fought a gorse fire on Little Haldon, above Teignmouth.

The crews, which included a water bowser from Torquay and a specialist off-road vehicle from Middlemoor, used a combination of beaters, hose reel jets, two 45ml jets and a fogging unit to tackle the blaze.

Approximately 50 acres was alight and they managed to create a fire break, and surround the fire to contain it.

Additional support was given by the Devon and Cornwall Police helicopter. Fire crew manager Matt Hallett was taken aloft in the helicopter so that he could get a general appraisal of the situation.

The fire service was alerted at just before 3pm and the Haldon-Teignmouth road was closed and traffic diverted for one-and-a-half-hours until it was under control.

Firefighters then kept a close watch on the scene damping down hot spots.

A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said swailing was taking place when the wind changed direction.

It was the second incident of the afternoon. Earlier appliances from Okehampton, Newton Abbot and Tavistock were mobilised to reports of swailing out of control at Two Bridges, near Princetown.

On arrival the crews discovered a large area of gorse well alight and requested back-up from two more appliances from Moretonhampstead and Plympton.