Two hundred tons of wood suddenly erupted into a raging inferno as Britain’s scorching summer blazed on.
Firefighters from five stations battled the huge fire involving towering piles of timber and woodchip.
Crews from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) were called to the fire at Chipmunk South West, a manufacturing business in Henlade, near Taunton, Somerset at 12.24am on Friday, (17 July).
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The fire sent thick smoke billowing into the sky and was expected to continue burning for several hours.
Residents and businesses nearby were urged to keep their doors and windows closed, as reported by Need To Know.
Crews from Taunton, Bridgwater, Wellington, Burnham-on-Sea and Somerton attended with four fire engines and a water bowser.
The cause of the blaze has not yet been confirmed.
A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “The last seven days have been our busiest in nearly four years.
“Our Fire Control room answered 1,936 calls – that’s almost one every five minutes, 24 hours a day, for an entire week.
“During the same period, our crews attended 813 incidents – including 226 fires – an average of one incident every 12 minutes.
“With the hot weather and dry ground continuing this weekend, the risk of fire remains high.
“Small fires can spread quickly, turning a car fire into a large hedgerow fire, or an unattended BBQ or bonfire into a wildfire covering acres of land.
“We’ve also seen an increase in calls to help the ambulance service gain entry to properties as the heat affects some of the most vulnerable in our communities.
“Please take a moment to check on family, friends and neighbours.
“A huge thank you to all of our colleagues, on the frontline and behind the scenes, who continue to work tirelessly to keep our communities safe during this exceptionally busy period.”
Wildfires continue to burn across the UK as firefighters face extreme pressure due to the prolonged heatwave, the chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council warned.
Phil Garrigan said dry weather increased the risk of uncontrollable fires, adding: “There’s no real respite.
“There doesn’t seem to be any rain forecast and that becomes problematic”.
Major incidents were declared in Conwy, north Wales, and in Glossop, Derbyshire, on Sunday, with firefighters still tackling the flames on Tuesday.
Wildfires have also affected Hampshire, Durham, West Sussex, East Sussex, Devon and Somerset.
In Wales, the major incident declared over the Conwy wildfire has now been brought under control, according to North Wales Fire and Rescue Service assistant chief fire officer Justin Evans.
But firefighters are still tackling several active blazes, including in Braichmelyn forestry near Bethesda and the Rhinogydd mountain range near Harlech.
A huge wildfire also erupted in the Cairngorms.
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