FIREFIGHTERS from Newton Abbot helped contain an oil spill after a fire in Plymouth.

Newton Abbot Fire Station’s ‘Environmental Protection Unit’ (EPU) was mobilised to the port city after a fire at a vehicle workshop.

Several oil drums inside had become compromised, with around 20,000 litres of oil cascading down the adjacent street.

‘As part of the EPU response, this hazard became our responsibility to rectify’ a spokesperson for Newton Abbot Fire Station said.

The crew utilised its yellow poly booms, pictured, to create a dam at the end of the street, containing a large quantity of the oil to the initial street it had leaked onto.

‘We also utilised a variety of drain blockers, oil absorbant pads, and dammit clay mats to cover as many drains in the area as possible’ the spokesperson said.

These efforts resulted in only limited amounts of oil entering nearby water courses.

The oil was collected by the Environmental Agency and will be disposed of in due course, the Mid-Devon Advertiser understands.