Family restaurant damaged in tumble dryer fire

The back of a house is covered in black ash. The window is broken and burnt. The house next to it looks clean and has yellow paint.Image source, Claire Reeves
Image caption,

The damage is breathtaking, Claire Reeves said

  • Published

A tumble dryer caused a fire that damaged a restaurant, kitchen and upstairs flat, a fire service has said.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service attended a blaze on Friday night at Reeves restaurant in Dunster and said no-one was injured.

The whole property was damaged by smoke and fire and the cause of the blaze was believed to be accidental, the service added.

Owners Justin and Claire Reeves thanked the fire service, "especially the heroic firefighters who donned specialist breathing apparatus and entered the blazing inferno that was our restaurant and home to save it, risking their lives in the process".

The outside of the Reeves restaurant with a fire engine parked on the street. Fire fighters in uniform are standing next to the engine. It is night time.Image source, Claire Reeves
Image caption,

A family restaurant was damaged in a fire on Friday night

Ms Reeves said they only realised the extent of the damage when they returned to their home and business on Friday evening.

"The damage is truly breathtaking in its scale from top to bottom.

"Although it will take many weeks to put right, at least we will have a much-loved home and a business to go back to eventually thanks to those brave men," she added.

The burnt remnants of a kitchen. There are pots on the floor and some peppers. Everything is broken and burnt and covered in black ash.Image source, Claire Reeves
Image caption,

The fire spread from a tumble dryer, the fire service said

Ms Reeves also thanked her local community for all the help they offered.

She said: "Kind words, offers of help and offers of accommodation have been pouring in, we are truly humbled and overwhelmed by people's kindness."

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