Firefighters from across the region were called to a significant blaze at a thatched cottage in Birdbrook, near Steeple Bumpstead, this morning.
Crews from Saffron Walden, Wethersfield, Sible Hedingham, Thaxted, Halstead, Great Dunmow, Harlow, Newport, Haverhill, Clare, and Newmarket attended the scene, working together to bring the fire under control.
The fire, which broke out earlier today, prompted a large-scale response due to the high risk posed by the thatched roof and the potential for rapid fire spread. Firefighters remain at the scene this afternoon, carrying out damping down operations to ensure no further flare-ups.
A fire investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the blaze.
Essex Police and the East of England Ambulance Service were also in attendance, supporting Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) during the emergency response.
There have been no reports of injuries at this stage.
A Spokesman for Essex Fire and Rescue Said: Firefighters worked with crews from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service at a thatched roof fire in Birdbrook today.
Eight crews from Halstead, Wethersfield, Saffron Walden, Dunmow and Suffolk FRS’ Clare and Haverhill were called to a thatched roof fire in Finkle Green, Birdbrook at 9:11am.
On arrival, crews reported the thatched roof of a cottage was 100% alight.
Firefighters worked together to remove the thatch from the roof and extinguished the fire in sections.
An Aerial Ladder Platform from Colchester was also used to help extinguish the fire from above.
Due to a difficult water supply, a Water Bowser from Halstead was set up to shuttle water to the scene.
Firefighters extinguished the fire by 1:35pm and believe the fire started in a chimney flue of a log burner.
The roof has been destroyed and there has been extensive fire and smoke damage to the rest of the property.
Station Manager Scott Fretton said: “Crews worked really hard with limited water supplies to get the fire under control. Firefighters worked quickly to remove the thatch from the roof to access the fire and worked to prevent it spreading to neighbouring buildings.”
