Yaxley cottage in ruins after fire

A THATCHED cottage is today in ruins after a devastating blaze tore through the property as more than 60 firefighters battled the flames.

The drama unfolded at the picturesque home in Old Norwich Road, Yaxley, just after 8pm yesterdayand an investigation will be launched today into its cause.

Property was salvaged from inside the home, but the roof and first floor suffered massive damage.

At 9.30pm fire chiefs said the structure, which measured 10 metres by five metres, was being allowed to burn under control.

Divisional officer Jon Cook, speaking at the scene, said: “The first crews arrived at 8.15pm. They were confronted by severe fire in the thatched roof. The initial actions were to try and knock down the fire. It was already well developed.

“They did a tremendous job salvaging the owners' possessions from the premises.

“We will attempt to investigate it but the structure has been badly damaged.”

Nobody was inside the premises at the time.

Crews from Eye, Stradbroke, Diss, Harleston, Bury St Edmunds and Debenham were called to the incident, along with the turntable ladder from Ipswich.

Divisional officer Cook added: “Most of the roof has been destroyed by fire. It was very dangerous to tackle because of the ferocity at which it was burning and an 11,000 volt electricity supply in close proximity.”

He also said there was a standard 240volt mains nearby which had to be isolated, causing power disruption for local residents.

Suffolk fire service were at the scene until gone midnight.