Sixty firefighters tackling Urchfont thatched property fire

Sixty firefighters are tackling a fire in the thatched roof of a property.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service crews were called to the residential home in Urchfont, near Devizes, at 09:36 BST on Thursday.

They said the house was "well alight" when they arrived.

The fire service urged local residents to keep windows and doors closed due to the smoke and to give them "as much as space as possible" due to the limited access to the area.

Wayne Jones, Station manager at Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said no occupants or pets had been hurt.

"Everybody is in the care of their family and friends now," he said.

"Today has been a fairly labour-intensive day for us, trying to bring the fire under control," he added.

Mr Jones said that incidents such as this are becoming more likely due to the current hot weather.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service crews removed the roof of the property as part of the operation.

"Firefighters have been working in arduous conditions to contain the fire, strip the thatch from the roof, and salvage the occupiers' belongings," a spokesperson added.

A total of 15 fire crews are in attendance, with equipment including an aerial ladder platform, water carriers, support appliances and a small 4x4 pumping appliance.

Drivers were asked to avoid the centre of Urchfont and The Green, which is being used as a rendezvous point for crews.

The fire service said an investigation into the cause of the blaze would be held in due course, but they currently believe it started accidentally.

Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]