A GARAGE containing motorcycles – and a lithium-ion battery pack – caught fire in Chard last night (July 4).

Fire crews from Chard, Ilminster and Axmister were sent to the scene, in Halcombe, at around 7.10pm after a 999 call reporting the blaze.

“Initial actions by Chard had prevented rapid escalation to nearby houses, cars and fencing,” said an Axminster Fire Station spokesperson.

“Their rapid interventions were vitally important when it was confirmed there was a lithium-ion battery pack on charge along with the garage housing motorbikes.

“When Axminster arrived they were detailed to send two breathing apparatus to monitor any hot spots, dampen and turn them over, while another member of our crew was detailed to dampen down a nearby fence.”

A Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said the incident was under control by around 9pm, but did “affect an adjacent car and a fence”, though “crews worked well to prevent the fire from spreading any further”.

“Unfortunately, the workshops and contents were completely destroyed but there were no casualties,” they added.