CELEBRITY chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is counting the cost after a large fire ripped through his River Cottage headquarters.

Police and fire officers are investigating the cause of the fire, but it is not thought to be suspicious.

Thousands of pounds in damage was caused by the blaze at Musbury, near Axminster.

At its height the fire was tackled by scores of firefighters, with eight appliances drawn from across the county, including Exeter and Exmouth.

A spokesman for River Cottage said: "A serious fire severely damaged the main barn at River Cottage Park Farm Headquarters in Axminster.

"Thankfully no people, or animals, were hurt.

"The cause is as yet unknown. The River Cottage team are dealing with the damage and are shocked and upset."

He said Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall was away on a long-distance filming trip.

The first calls about the blaze came in shortly after 10pm on Tuesday, with reports that a kitchen was on fire.

The fire was in the events barn, an annexe to the main building, which hosts cookery classes.

Firefighters from Colyton and Axminster were first on the scene and called in extra help from Seaton, Lyme Regis in Dorset and Sidmouth and Honiton, 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 were also brought in.

The building was well alight when firefighters arrived.

The fire was finally brought under control at around 2am yesterday (Wednesday).

Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage HQ is based at Park Farm near Axminster.

River Cottage also has a canteen and deli, which were unaffected.