TODAY this picture postcard scene is all but destroyed.The two families living in the pair of cottages are faced with the emotional task of trying to salvage any remaining belongings after fire ravaged through their homes.

By Georgina James

TODAY this picture postcard scene is all but destroyed.

The two families living in the pair of cottages are faced with the emotional task of trying to salvage any remaining belongings after fire ravaged through their homes.

More than 50 firefighters from two counties battled to save the picturesque semi-detached cottages after fire started in the thatched roof at around 8pm yesterday.

Everybody managed to escape the large property in The Street, Euston, near Thetford and some personal belongings and prized possessions were salvaged before the blaze spread through the thatch.

A total of eight fire crews from Suffolk and Norfolk attended the blaze and were at the scene for around three hours.

An investigation will start today to try and establish the cause of the fire.

The cottages are owned by the Duke of Grafton. His son Lord Euston and wife Lady Euston live at nearby Euston Hall.

Suffolk county councillor, Joanna Spicer, whose husband is estate manager at the hall watched the blaze rip through the house in horror.

"It spread so rapidly," she said.

"Within half an hour the fire had engulfed the whole roof." She praised the action of the firefighters, saying they were very impressive.

"The whole roof has gone but the general opinion is that the bottom part has been largely saved. The firefighters were very good in helping to save belongings. What was also impressive was that the whole community has rallied around."

Elsewhere one crew from Ipswich today attended a car fire on Bourne Hill, Wherstead at about 5.30am.

Earlier at 2.30am a crew from Bury St Edmunds battled for just under an hour to a fire in which a tonne of straw had caught fire in Westley Lane, Horringer.

Yesterday Ipswich firefighters were called to a dentist surgery after an electrical appliance caught fire.

An employee raised the alarm at the Berners Street surgery after spotting smoke coming from a small machine.

An engine from Princes Street station went to the scene at about 12.05pm and gave the all-clear five minutes later.