Fire crew on way to Castle Cary get stuck in ditch

One fire engine was unable to reach the house fire in Castle Cary

Firefighters responding to a fatal house fire became stuck when one of their vehicles wheels got caught in a ditch.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service crews were called to a house fire in Alhampton, near Castle Cary, on 6 November.

Multiple fire engines were dispatched, but one vehicle was unable to continue.

Avon and Somerset Police, who also attended, said one man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The rest of the fire crews were able to carry on and assist other firefighters already on the scene.

A fire service spokesperson said: "We were called on the morning of 6 Nov to reports of smoke coming from a first-floor window of a house in Alhampton, Somerset.

"Fire engines from Wells, Glastonbury, Yeovil and Shepton Mallet were dispatched in addition to an aerial ladder from Bridgwater.

"When traveling along a narrow road, one of the fire engines became stuck after its wheel caught in a ditch and was unable to continue to the scene.

"The driver remained with the appliance while the rest of the crew were able to travel to the scene separately.

"Crews used breathing apparatus, hose reel jets and thermal imaging cameras as well as tools to gain entry and stop the fire from spreading to the ground floor.

The next of kin of the man who died have been informed, and investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, police said.