A FIRE tore through a commercial premises near Winkleigh on Monday, destroying the building and damaging others nearby.
At around 1.40pm the fire service received reports of a fire at Newland Farm in Dowland, near Winkleigh.
Fire engines from Hatherleigh, Torrington and North Tawton were sent out as well as the water bowser from Barnstaple.
Further crews were called for when firefighters spotted a large plume of smoke from several miles away.
A fourth engine from Chulmleigh came to the fire as well as an incident comment vehicle and a support pump from Ilfracombe.
They found the fire was at a commercial building measuring 100metres by 40metres which sold pet bedding.
During the fire further crews including two engines from Okehampton, a support pump from South Molton and another water bowser attended the fire.
Western Power Distribution also went to the fire as they had electrical equipment nearby and Torridge District Council's environmental health department and the Environment Agency were informed.
A diesel tank and several propane cylinders at the site exploded during the fire, which also spread to two nearby buildings.
The fire was brought under control at around 11.30pm and it was scaled down to two fire engines.
The building was destroyed and another was 25% damaged.
Firefighters used three main jets, one foam jet, four people wearing breathing apparatus, a telehandler, a portable dam, a thermal imaging camera and small tools to extinguish the fire.
Jon Chalk, group manager for response, resilience and training at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said safety cordons had to be set up because of the danger of exploding cylinders.
"Exploding cylinders can travel significant distances," he said. "One ignited under pressure and flew 41 metres away from the site of the fire.
"We also had a running fuel fire when a diesel tank ruptured."
The fire service said it attended hundreds of fires at farms every year and asked people to follow the relevant safety steps which can be found on its website: www.dsfire.gov.uk
