DISTRAUGHT residents whose homes went up in smoke after a huge fire in Crediton have described the moment they had to flee for their lives.

Five historic cottages which share a thatched roof in Buller Square, on Mill Street, have been left virtually gutted, while two slate-roof properties were also affected.

At its height 25 appliances were at the scene and more than 100 firefighters tackled the blaze.

The area was evacuated and neighbours could only look on in disbelief at the giant pillar of smoke, which was visible for miles.

People in the area were told to stay indoors while the community rallied around those directly affected.

Some were looked after at the Boniface Centre a few hundred yards away.

Others stood outside, shell-shocked with head-in-hands, staring at the raging inferno that was destroying their homes – and an important part of Crediton's history – in front of their eyes.

And they are now struggling to pick up the pieces of what has been left behind.

Pete Leeuwerke told the Echo: "I was sleeping next door to where it started and my room started to fill with smoke. I was able to get out and by the time I was outside the whole back was on fire.

"It looks like it has been totally wrecked. I lived there with my dad and he has been there his whole life. It is upsetting. My reptiles, a lizard and snakes are still in there and I can't get to them.

"We have been told it will be a while until we are allowed back down but we have no idea what kind of a state it will be in.

"They are some of the oldest houses in Crediton. It is devastating to see."

The homes are more than 300 years old and the square is regarded locally as the birthplace of St Boniface.

Edith Carpenter, 70, lived in one of the cottages 30 years ago. She said: "My house was so lovely. It's a very sad loss for the people and Crediton's history."

She was one of a large crowd that quickly gathered but as the fire continued to spread they were pushed further away from the centre by emergency services. Some had rushed down after seeing the smoke to check if family members were all right.

Among them was Adrian Browning, 20, who lives at Butt Parks. He said: "I was looking out of my bedroom window and saw all the smoke. I came down as I thought it might be my grandad's house. Thankfully it was not but it was just a few metres away.

"I have been here from the start – all the fire engines were just turning up. It is scary looking at the scale of it."

Samantha Brooks, 41, of St Thomas, was travelling from Exeter to visit her mum when she saw all the fire engines and police travelling past.

"When we got to the garage we were told there was a big fire and that they had closed off Mill Street and East Street," she said.

"I panicked. My mum lives there so I phoned her straight away to make sure she was okay. Thankfully she was but it is still a shocking sight. It is a small area and everyone knows each other."

At the Boniface Centre, a group of "highly distressed" people, including some schoolchildren, waited for news of what had happened to their homes.

Nigel Guthrie, the rector of Crediton, said: "We have just offered the centre as somewhere for people to come as everything is uncertain. They don't know what kind of a state they will find things in. They are all very distressed and we are just offering them some tea and biscuits and some shelter from the cold. It is a waiting game."

One resident, who lived in one of the two homes attached that suffered smoke and water damage, returned to survey the scene the following day.

He said: "It looks really bad. My house has suffered smoke and water damage but is not as bad as some of the others.

"I was coming back from France when I got a text to say my next door neighbour's house was on fire and had partially collapsed. Everyone knows everyone around here so it is really distressing. It is shocking for all of us."

It took crews around nine hours to get the fire under control after first getting the call at 12.30pm on Thursday, February 2, and they remained on site for nearly 48 hours.

Reflecting on the operation Ian Salter, of Crediton fire station, said: "It was a long, hard day. When a fire develops like that it is so hard to get under control."

An investigation into the cause is on-going but the fire is believed to have started in a chimney.

But as the families struggle to re-build their lives the local community is rallying around and a support fund has already been set up. A total of £4,000 was raised in a collection at the weekend.

Mayor of Crediton Frank Letch said: "This was a tragic event for Crediton and we are all devastated. Our thoughts go out to families, five of them who have had to move out.

"They are all being accommodated by family and friends but that cannot be a permanent solution. Crediton is a very warm-hearted town and everyone has come together."

Building surveyors have also been at the scene amid fears the structures were unstable. They are listed buildings so would need to be re-built as they were.

"The buildings are over 300 years old and it was the quarter where St Boniface was born so they are of great historic importance," added Mr Letch.

Anyone wishing to donate should send a cheque to the Crediton Support Fund to the town council offices in Market Street, Crediton, EX17 2BN.