AN investigation is under way today after firefighters worked through much of the night to prevent fire destroying a picture-postcard thatched cottage in a Suffolk village.

AN investigation is under way today after firefighters worked through much of the night to prevent fire destroying a picture-postcard thatched cottage in a Suffolk village.

A garage and a shed next to the house in Forward Green, near Stowmarket, caught fire late on Saturday night.

They were gutted by the fire, but six crews from Stowmarket, Needham Market and Ipswich successfully prevented the flames from spreading to the house.

Assistant divisional officer Ali Moseley said there was real concern about the fire spreading when the crews arrived.

He said: “We had to set up a water barrier to stop the flames from spreading - we were also told there where gas canisters in the shed which added to the danger from the blaze.

“Fortunately there was a pond nearby that we could pump water from - there aren't many fire hydrants in rural areas.”

Yesterday Mr Moseley and forensic experts from the police were back at the scene trying to establish how the fire had started.

It was still not clear what had caused the blaze, but firefighters were relieved to have prevented it causing any more damage.

“We were very concerned for a time, but eventually it was clear that we had managed to contain the fire. The crews were here until about 2am,” Mr Moseley added.

Householder Paul Garrard was thankful for the firefighters' action.

He said: “They got here quickly and worked hard to prevent the fire from spreading to the house. We are very grateful.”