Firefighters took extra precautions when tackling a fire at a countryside cafe over fears of an explosion.
A total of eight fire crews extinguished the blaze which devastated Pines Cafe on Buncombe Hill, Broomfield, near Bridgwater, this morning (Wednesday, August 21).
The fire began at 4.25am and despite the best efforts of firefighters, the cafe has been destroyed.
A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said the fire was under control just before 7am today.
The spokesman said fire crews raised concerns gas cylinders inside the cafe could explode.
"The fire crews tried to stop the fire spreading. There were eight appliances in total," said the spokesman.
"There were road closures in place. Fire crews were concerned that there were cylinders involved inside and that makes it more difficult.
"There is a danger they may explode so they kept a distance.
"There is still one fire crew there and a joint investigation to look into the fire's cause is ongoing with police."
The spokesman added that cylinders were inside the building but they were not affected by the fire.
Initially, four fire crews rushed to the scene and roads surrounding the cafe have been closed off to traffic.
This included Buncombe Hill, which links Bishops Lydeard to Taunton and Bridgwater.
Earlier today, the fire service said in a log: "We received two reports from passers-by regarding an established fire at a cafe at the above location.
"Three appliances from Taunton, Bridgwater and Nether Stowey were mobilised along with an aerial ladder platform and a water bowser from Bridgwater.
"Upon arrival the crews confirmed a commercial premises well alight and requested the attendance of two further crews, who also came out from Taunton and Bridgwater.
"The property was 75 per cent damaged by fire before the crews were able to get the incident under control using main jets, breathing apparatus and thermal imaging cameras."
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