Sixteen crews from across Suffolk and Norfolk tackle thatched cottage blaze

A thatched cottage has been wrecked following a fire at the property.

Sixteen crews from across Suffolk and Norfolk were called to the cottage on Pound Corner, in Barningham, just after 9.20pm last night, Tuesday, January 20.

It started as a chimney fire then spread to the roof of the building with firefighters from Diss, East Harling, Thetford, Woodbridge, Eye, Haverhill, Bury St Edmunds, Elmswell, Ixworth, Brandon and Newmarket rushing to the scene.

Two occupants of the cottage safely escaped without any injury.

A spokesperson for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that 75% of the roof was on fire when firefighters arrived on the scene and that the total area affected was 30mx30m.

UK Power Networks are reported to be on scene alongside Suffolk Highways.

Speaking to BBC Radio Suffolk this morning, group commander Will Tell, who was at the scene of the fire, said: “It was a rapidly escalating fire. It was very intense, our thoughts go out to the occupants who have lost most of their belongings. They are being supported by some fantastic neighbours who have given them somewhere to stay.

“We do not know the cause of the fire at the moment. We will have a specialist fire investigator trying to establish what caused it.