Fire crews win race to stop thatch fire spreading

Firefighters from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were required to work tirelessly for a number of hours in order to prevent a thatched roof fire from affecting two nearby properties in Burton, Somerset last weekend.

Over 80 firefighters were called to the scene of the blaze, in East Coker close to Yeovil, which occurred just before 5am on Sunday morning.

The fire crews then had to battle to stop the fire, which had taken hold in the roof, from spreading to the two other adjoining terraced cottages.

Station manager for Yeovil Kevin Hardwill said:

“Eight appliances were sent to the incident and after the arrival of the first appliance that was increased to 12.

“Crews got to work immediately to create a fire break between the properties and were also engaged in carrying out salvage work from the affected property.

“The thatch was quite thick, which made it more of a job.”

The work of the firefighters, from South Somerset and Dorset Fire Service, was praised for containing the fire in the one cottage, meaning that only the roof was badly damaged.

There were no reported injuries in the blaze, but an investigation is now underway into the cause of the fire.