A FAMILY home in Suffolk has been wrecked by fire just weeks after renovations had been completed.Fire crews from all over east Suffolk were called to Blacksmith Cottage, Sandy Lane, Iken, on Saturday night after smoke was seen coming from the thatched roof.

By Georgina James

A FAMILY home in Suffolk has been wrecked by fire just weeks after renovations had been completed.

Fire crews from all over east Suffolk were called to Blacksmith Cottage, Sandy Lane, Iken, on Saturday night after smoke was seen coming from the thatched roof.

More than 80 fire fighters rushed to the scene shortly after 6pm. It is not sure yet how the blaze started.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Ken Seager, from force headquarters in Colchester Road, Ipswich, said: "On arrival the local crews were faced with a serious fire in the thatch of large detached cottage in a fairly remote location.

"Initial attempts were made to salvage as much as possible from the house and assistance was requested."

A total of 15 fire engines from Ipswich, Felixstowe, Woodbridge, Orford, Framingham, Saxmundham, Leiston and Aldeburgh were called to the scene.

The severity of the blaze meant that the fire quickly spread to the first floor and it took more than four hours to bring it under control.