FIRECREWS from Yelverton, Princetown and Crownhill spent three hours tackling explosions and flames which leapt to a height of 30ft during a serious blaze near Dousland on Monday night.

The crews were called to the fire at the Packfirst premises at 11.20pm, where they found three large removal vans and two smaller vehicles well alight.

Leading firefighter Alan Brown said: 'It was a very large fire — the Crownhill crew said they could see it as they left Roborough.

'We had tyres exploding, there were fuel tanks and gas refrigeration units — there were mains overhead power lines going right across the top of the vehicles — we had to call SWEB to disconnect the power because it was too dangerous for the crews.'

Mr Brown said two jets and two hosereel jets were used to tackle the blaze using water shuttled in from Yelverton, but the fire was too advanced to save the vehicles.

Mr Brown said: 'Our main priority was to stop the fire from affecting vehicles parked to the side, which we managed to do.

'Luckily enough, the trucks were parked away from the buildings, but the glass in the windows and the frames were affected by the radiant heat.'

He said the vehicles, one of which contained belongings of someone recently moved to the area, were totally destroyed by the fire.

Police and forensic experts are still investigating the scene and have yet to ascertain whether or not the blaze was an act of arson. A preliminary investigation has suggested the fire is of 'doubtful origin'.

DC Graham McCormick said the fire was a 'devastating blow' to the small, reputable, family-owned removal firm.

He said it was difficult to calculate the cost of the damage caused by the fire, but said it was unlikely to be less than £100,000.

'We are going to keep an open mind, until we have investigated whether this was arson. Obviously, we are very interested to speak to any witnesses who may have driven by the scene at the relevant time or to anyone else with information,' said DC McCormick.

Tavistock CID are asking anyone with information to contact them on 08705 777 444 or on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

Raymond Toombs, owner of Packfirst, said he felt 'awful' about the fire: 'You can imagine what it was like, walking in that first morning. Everything we have worked for for the last four years has gone.'

Mr Toombs now has just two of his six vehicles left with which to carry on business, with his workforce of 12 full-time staff worried for their future.

'I am in the process of trying to get some more vehicles. We're not going to let it beat us, but this has put an awful strain on a small family business,' he said.

Mr Toombs was grateful for the support of the local community. 'People have been phoning us and wishing us well,' he said.

Anyone who may be able to help Packfirst with vehicles should call 01822 854848.