FIRECREWS from throughout the area were called to deal with a huge timber blaze near Tavistock last Thursday night.
Two crews from Tavistock were initially called to deal with the blaze involving 60 tons of timber at Sparling?s site on Hayedown Industrial Park.
Firefighter Glenn Arundel said: ?We had the call at about 9.30pm ? the fire could be seen from miles away, it was huge, about four metres high and we reckon about 65 metres in circumference.?
In addition to the two Tavistock crews, two fire engines from Launceston were called to help tackle the blaze, plus a water bowser from Plympton.
The crews were then relieved at 3.30am on Friday by two more units from Bere Alston and Plymouth.
?Water supplies were the main problem, because obviously we were using thousands and thousands of gallons,? said Mr Arundel.
?Our main concern was that Tavistock was left uncovered for the night while we were dealing with what was, in effect, just a bonfire that had to be put out.?