Family restaurant damaged in tumble dryer fire

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".

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.

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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