In what was believed to be an accidental fire, six crews including one from Frome, were at a large house fire late last night in Charlton.

Fire control mobilised two fire appliances from Shepton Mallet, one from Frome and an Operational Assurance Officer. Due to the home's proximity to the border two appliances were also sent from Radstock and Paulton.

On arrival the incident commander confirmed that there was a fire in the basement with the blaze spreading to the ground floor and four breathing apparatus wearers using one hose reel jet and one main jet were in use.

The incident commander then ordered in a sixth pump along with a Command Support vehicle from Street.

At just after ten in the evening the number of breathing apparatus wearers was increased to six with two main jets in use and one hose reel jet.

Crews reported that the the gas at the property had been isolated while the fire itself had burnt through to the ground floor. Thankfully all those living at the house were accounted for while the police were requested to assist with traffic management due to the number of vehicles on scene.

By eleven the incident was being scaled back to two pumps. The fire was out and crews were cutting away to expose hotspots and ventilate the property. Two breathing apparatus wearers were using one hose reel jet and small tools.

Local crews will be back to visit the property this morning (December 2)

The basement fire, which had spread to the ground floor stairwell, caused damage to about a third of the property, with further smoke damage to about a fifth of the the rest of the property.

In total the fire crews used two hose reel jets, two main jets, one safety jet, small tools, two thermal image cameras and one positive pressure ventilation fan. The cause of the fire was believed to be accidental.