Crews from across region were called to deal with the blaze at the luxury retreat
A luxury West Country hotel was evacuated overnight as a huge fire broke out during guests’ stay. Firefighters from across Devon and Somerset spent the night dealing with a large fire at an acclaimed health retreat near Taunton.
The fire at the Amchara Health and Wellbeing Retreat, based at the Bindon Country House, saw guests and staff evacuated shortly before midnight on Saturday evening [July 12] after it began on the first floor. Co-owner of the business, Justin Williams, thanked firefighters for their efforts in saving the property from further damage and ensuring the safety of everyone at the hotel.
The Grade II listed manor house – considered 17th century by Historic England although re-fronted in the 19th century – is set within several acres of stunning gardens and woodland close to the Somerset and Devon border and boasts its own pool, tennis court and spa, Somerset Live reports.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said three fire engines were initially mobilised along with an aerial ladder platform from the Wellington and Taunton stations. As the fire took hold, crews on scene called for two more appliances from Taunton and Bampton and a water carrier from Bridgwater was also requested.
Mr Williams, speaking with SomersetLive this morning, said he was very grateful to the firefighters and staff for their efforts in safeguarding guests and the building. He said: “We’re just relieved everybody is safe and want to thank them [the firefighters] for a job well done. I also want to thank our staff for their work assisting our guests.
“It’s understandably been a huge shock to us and has caused a massive disruption to our business. All businesses are in difficult times and the last thing we need is this, so it’s extremely difficult for us.
Fire at Bindon Country House, Langford Budville, home to Amchara health and wellbeing retreat(Image: submitted)
“We understand one bedroom has been completely destroyed. On the first floor we have four bedrooms and they have mild to medium damage while on the top [second] floor there’s the destroyed one and two more bedrooms have suffered smoke damage.”
He said the damage to the rooms as well as to the electrical and water systems needed to be assessed before any decisions were made, but he again wanted to offer his thanks to the fire crews who battled all night to save the building.
He added: “We’re just grateful to everyone involved, firefighters and staff.”
‘Building collapse’
By 1.20am this morning [Sunday July 13] eight pumps were in attendance to prevent the fire spreading. Further updates through the night from the fire service revealed how the fire took hold in a three-storey annex area of the hotel and that the fire “unfortunately caused part of the building to collapse”.
By this stage crews were using four breathing apparatus, three main jets and two hose reel jets to tackle the fire and halt the spread. Shortly before 4am crews were rotated, requiring firefighters from as far afield as Ivybridge to journey to the scene.
It was not until 7.50am this morning that the incident was scaled back to just two fire engines and at 8.55am a stop message to the call-out was finally given.
A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said that the hotel suffered around 20 percent smoke damage and 25 percent fire damage. The blaze had apparently got into roof space, leading to concerns it could spread along the space to other parts of the building. Thankfully staff and guests were all evacuated at the very earliest stage and no injuries were reported.
Crews from Bampton, Colyton, Tiverton, Ivybridge, Clyst St George, Taunton, Bridgwater, Dulverton, Street, Wellington, Chard and Martock were all tasked during the night, using four breathing apparatus, three hose real jets, one covering jet, three safety jets, a thermal imaging camera to search for lingering hotspots, ceiling hooks, a triple extension ladder and a light portable pump.