Fire crews from Honiton and Axminster have been helping to fight a large fire at a battery factory in Chard overnight. 

At its height, eight fire engines from Honiton, Lyme Regis, Honiton, Chard, Crewkerne, Taunton, Yeovil and Charmouth were at the fire on Leach Road.

No injuries are reported. Residents were urged to close their doors and windows due to the large smoke plume. 

Police attended and closed the road. Electricity to the building was isolated.

At 10.35 yesterday morning (February 25) the roof was engulfed and the building is unstable.

Fire crews were fighting the fire from a safe distance using the aerial ladder platforms to target water onto the fire from above.

Water was shuttled to the two aerial appliances using a water bowser and fire appliances. Water jets and a ground monitor were also in use.

An aerial ladder platform is still in use supplied by a water carrier and a water relay. Cordons are being maintained and the stability of the building is being monitored. Electricity has been restored to neighbouring properties.

From 3.50pm, one fire crew remains at the scene damping down with a hose reel jet from a safe distance. Road closure still in place.