Celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage Park Farm in Devon has been "severely damaged" in a major fire.

The blaze, which happened just after 10pm on Tuesday, has left the River Cottage team at the chef's headquarters in Axminster "shocked and upset".

Fearnley-Whittingstall, who is away filming, is yet to find out about the fire, a spokesman said. The cause of the blaze is unknown.

Emergency services, including the police and fire crews, were dispatched to the scene after reports that the single-storey building was ablaze.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said eight fire engines and 80 firefighters attended the farm. The fire was brought under control after nearly three hours and there were no injuries.

A spokesman for River Cottage said: "Late last night a serious fire severely damaged the main barn at River Cottage Park Farm headquarters in Axminster.

"Thankfully, no people, or animals, were hurt. The River Cottage team are dealing with the damage today and are shocked and upset.

"Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is away on a long-distance filming trip and will be informed as soon as he can be contacted.

"The River Cottage team would like to say a big thank you to the fire brigade, who were on the scene quickly and worked hard to contain the fire."

A spokesman for the fire service said it had received calls to a "commercial kitchen" which was on fire.

He said one fire engine from Colyton was initially sent to the scene along with firefighters from Axminster.

He added: "Upon arrival, fire crews requested a further three fire appliances from Seaton, Lyme Regis in Dorset, and Honiton, a compressed air foam systems appliance from Chard in Somerset together with the incident support unit and a supporting appliance from Exmouth and the water bowser from Danes Castle, Exeter.

"A hazardous materials and environmental pollution officer and fire investigation officer was also mobilised to this incident."

Devon and Cornwall Police were alerted to control the traffic while Western Power were requested to attend to deal with the electricity supply.

Members of the Salvation Army also attended the scene to provide catering for those affected by the fire and members of the emergency services.

Four firefighters wearing breathing sets led efforts to quell the blaze, with water being shuttled to the scene. At 11.10pm a further two engines from Sidmouth and Honiton were requested to provide more water.

Foam was used to prevent fire spreading to an adjacent building. Two large propane gas containers were also isolated.

By 1.30am firefighters were damping down hot spots and it was officially said to be "under control" shortly before 2am.

Fire investigator Mike Burrows said: "We got a call at 10.15pm on Tuesday but had difficulty gaining access to the building. We had to cut chains on the gate to get down there.

"The fire was well developed when we arrived. There were eight engines that attended the fire which was in an annexe to the main building."

"It took a few hours to get it under control. There is an investigation under way now."

Fearnley-Whittingstall opened his new canteen and deli in the Royal William Yard, Plymouth, in November.

A spokesman said the River Cottage Canteen and Deli at Axminster was unaffected and remained open. However the cookery school courses at Park Farm will not be running in the short term.

"Anyone booked on a course will be contacted by the River Cottage events team as soon as possible," a spokesman said.