EIGHT fire engines were called to a major thatched roof fire on the road between Muchelney and Thorney this afternoon which left a man needing treatment for smoke inhalation.

Crews from Somerton, Yeovil, Taunton, Bridgwater and Ilminster were dispatched, after first receiving the call at 2.12pm that smoke was issuing from the roof of a two-storey domestic thatched property on Sunday (August 10).

Armed with an aerial ladder platform from Taunton and a water carrier from Bridgwater, additional crews were later sent from Shepton Mallet and Sherborne, along with an Environmental Protection Unit from South Molton.

A spokesperson for Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: "The fire was fanned by strong winds so, at the height of the incident, the roof was fully involved in fire.

"Western Power attended to isolate overhead power lines. An ambulance was requested to treat one male with smoke inhalation.

"A further ambulance was mobilised to standby at incident for fire fighter safety. The police attended for traffic control.

"Firefighters used ladders, six attack jets, three covering jets, one compressed air foam jet, two thermal imaging cameras and six breathing apparatus to fight the fire."

The British Red Cross Fire and Emergency Service Support crew was also requested to attend to offer support to the residents as crews worked to salvage the home owner's possessions.