AROUND 30 firefighters from Suffolk and Essex today tackled a fire which broke out in the roof of a thatched cottage near Hadleigh.The fire broke out in the chimney of St Martin's Cottage, St Martin's Lane, Polstead, shortly after 8am.

AROUND 30 firefighters from Suffolk and Essex today tackled a fire which broke out in the roof of a thatched cottage near Hadleigh.

The fire broke out in the chimney of St Martin's Cottage, St Martin's Lane, Polstead, shortly after 8am.

Fire engines from Ipswich, Colchester, Hadleigh, Nayland, Sudbury and Felixstowe are in attendance.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said 25 per cent of the roof of the 20 metre by five metre cottage was engulfed by flames.