Evacuation after town garage fire

Buildings surrounding the garage were evacuated

A fire at a derelict garage in an east Devon town is being treated as arson.

Much of Axminster had to be cordoned off and people moved out as dozens of firefighters tackled the blaze at Websters Garage in Lyme Road.

A police community support officer reported the fire after seeing smoke coming from the single-storey building.

Surrounding businesses and buildings were evacuated and fire crews had to take special measures because of asbestos in the roof.

A 500m (547-yard) exclusion zone was set up because of fears that the asbestos might blow around the town.

Fire crews from Axminster, Colyton and Lyme Regis and the aerial ladder platform from Exeter were at the scene.