Thatched cottage owner thanks fire service and community

The owner of a thatched cottage which was severely damaged by a blaze has praised firefighters and the community for their help.

More than 10 fire engines and an aerial appliance were called to the 17th Century property in the Street, Monks Eleigh, on Saturday at about 9.15pm.

Grainne Marmion had been enjoying dinner inside with friends when someone knocking on the window alerted her to the blaze.

Speaking yesterday, she said: “The fire spread really quickly and they [the firefighters] worked on it all through the night.

“ I have to say the neighbours and the fire brigade were just unbelievably good, just the community and the support. People were staying up until 1am helping.”

The 57-year-old, who moved in a couple of months ago, described how the community rallied round to help move her possessions.

She said the first floor and the eaves of the property had been completely destroyed.

“It’s very, very shocking,” she said. “At the time you think it’s going to be all right, but this morning I realised it wasn’t all right.

“But you have to embrace that and be really thankful nobody was hurt, and actually the fire service and the community are just unbelievably good and supportive.”

Appliances from Hadleigh, Long Melford, Sudbury, Halstead in Essex, Bury St Edmunds and Ixworth, along with the Multistar from Bury St Edmunds and the Command Unit from Ixworth were the first to arrive and discovered the entire 10m x 4m roof was ablaze.

Two more crews from Princes Street, Ipswich, were then mobilised, followed by two more from Bury, one from Stowmarket and one from Needham Market.

The fire was under control shortly after 12midnight, although a single appliance remained on the scene yesterday morning.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is being carried out. A spokesman for Suffolk police said it is not currently believed to be suspicious.