Glemsford: About 80 firefighters tackle thatched roof fire

Martha Harrison/BBC Fire in Skates Hill, Glemsford, SuffolkMartha Harrison/BBC
The thatched roof of a property in Skates Hill, Glemsford has been damaged by fire

About 80 firefighters have been called out to a fire in the thatched roof of a home.

Crews were called to a property in Skates Hill, Glemsford, shortly before 22:00 BST on Tuesday, and found about a quarter of the roof on fire, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said.

The fire was largely extinguished by 01:30 BST but crews remained at the scene overnight to deal with hotspots.

An investigation into the cause is due to take place.

Martha Harrison/BBC Thatched roof fire in Glemsford, SuffolkMartha Harrison/BBC
Firefighters removed thatch from the roof to stop the fire from spreading further

Group manager Sally Hammond said crews from Suffolk and Essex "got to work very quickly" and had "managed to stop the fire from spreading any further in the property".

Dale Mason, watch manager from an Ipswich relief crew which arrived on Wednesday morning, said they were "on a watching brief looking out for hot spots".

"The [overnight] crews made a good fire break and brought the fire under control by about 01:30 - since then we've been monitoring the situation and ensuring there are no further flare ups," he said.

Martha Harrison/BBC Thatched roof fire in Glemsford, SuffolkMartha Harrison/BBC
An investigation into the cause is due to take place on Wednesday morning
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