Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
Firefighters from Chard were called out in the early hours of Tuesday morning after a recycling lorry caught fire on the Millwey Industrial Estate in Axminster.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service received multiple calls at around 7.38am on Tuesday, 14th October, reporting that a waste collection vehicle was alight. Crews from Chard and Charmouth attended the scene, supported by a water bowser from Bridport.
On arrival, Chard firefighters confirmed smoke issuing from the rear of the lorry. Working quickly, they were joined by colleagues from Charmouth, and together they set about extinguishing the fire after the vehicle’s contents had been safely emptied onto the road.
Once the flames were brought under control, crews used a thermal imaging camera to check for any remaining hotspots before handing the scene over to the recycling company. The company later arranged for the waste to be removed by another vehicle.
A spokesperson for D…
