A CHAGFORD couple have been left homeless after a fire which started in a barn spread to their home earlier this morning.

Neighbours in the hamlet of Withecombe near Chagford reported being woken by the sound of an explosion at about 4.30am.

Firefighters from Chagford and Moretonhampstead attended and called for reinforcements.

Crews fought to contain the flames but could not stop the blaze from spreading to the house.

At its height, there were five fire engines on site, including two from Okehampton and North Tawton and others from Bovey Tracey and Honiton. They also brought a water carrier from Danes Castle in Exeter.

Three crews were still damping down the fire late morning, while the occupants , reported to be ‘very shaken’, were given refuge by neighbours.

Next-door neighbour Frank Davies said the community would rally round to help them.

‘They’ve lost everything, they’ve got no clothes, nothing,’ he said. ‘The house is completely gutted.’

His wife Sarah-Jane, posting on Facebook group Chagford Hub, said: ‘The occupants thank everyone for their support. They are currently being taken care of by their close friends taking them to have breakfast. Fire crew will be up here most of the day. The fire is completely out but they need to make sure it does not reignite.

‘They will be allowed to back into their house later on this evening to assess the damage and get anything out that is salvageable. They have somewhere to stay for a while and will then be looking for somewhere else in Chagford to rent in the long run.’

The fire started in a barn apparently being used as a storeroom at the address between Sandsgate Cross and White Gate Cross. Two other close neighbours are currently without a water supply as a result of the fire.