Thatched pub destroyed by blaze

The roof and first floor of the building have collapsed

About 90 firefighters from across Devon have been tackling a major blaze at a thatched pub.

Emergency services were called to the fire at the Old Thatched Inn in Station Road, Bovey Tracey, at 0250 BST.

At the height of the blaze crews tapped into open water from the nearby River Bovey. The building has been almost completely destroyed.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said six people, including a child, have been taken to hospital.

They were not believed to have been seriously injured.

As soon as the firemen managed to subdue the flames, the wind would reignite them Martin Price, eyewitness

Fire incident commander Tam Alford said the thatched roof and the first floor of the pub had collapsed, trapping pockets of fire inside the building.

A building inspector from Teignbridge District Council was called to the site to help provide structural advice.

A team of specialist fire investigators will begin their work later, but Mr Alford said it could be several days before the cause of the blaze was known.

Wind direction

Eyewitness Martin Price, who was staying overnight at a nearby property, told BBC News when he woken up at 0400 BST, the thatched roof was well ablaze.

"The flames were shooting up about 20ft [6m] into the air and there was a lot of smoke," he said.

"Fortunately the wind was blowing the flames in the opposite direction.

"Because it was thatch, as soon as the firemen managed to subdue the flames, the wind would reignite them and they'd shoot up again."

Police have advised members of the public to keep away from the building, which is thought to be in a dangerous state.