Massive Thatched Cottage Blaze in Birdbrook: Fire Crews Battle Flames
Firefighters from across Essex and Suffolk scrambled to a major fire at a thatched cottage in Birdbrook, near Steeple Bumpstead, this morning. The blaze sent thick smoke into the sky and triggered a huge emergency response.
Firefighters Fight Roof-Ablaze Inferno
Crews from Saffron Walden, Wethersfield, Sible Hedingham, Thaxted, Halstead, Great Dunmow, Harlow, Newport, Haverhill, Clare, and Newmarket rushed to the scene after the fire erupted at 9:11am in Finkle Green. The thatched roof was reported to be fully engulfed in flames on arrival.
Firefighters battled to remove the burning thatch piece by piece. An Aerial Ladder from Colchester was brought in to attack the fire from above. With water supplies tough to access, a Water Bowser from Halstead shuttled vital water to the frontline crews.
Roof Destroyed, Cause Suspected in Chimney Flue
The fire was finally put out by 1:35pm, but the roof was completely destroyed. The rest of the cottage suffered extensive fire and smoke damage. Station Manager Scott Fretton praised crews for their hard work under tough conditions:
“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 prevent it spreading to neighbouring buildings.”
Officials suspect the blaze started in a chimney flue connected to a log burner. Essex Fire and Rescue Service, alongside Suffolk Fire and Rescue, Essex Police, and the East of England Ambulance Service, remain at the scene carrying out damping down operations to stop any flare-ups.
No Injuries Reported as Investigation Underway
Thankfully, no injuries have been reported so far. A full fire investigation is now underway to determine the exact cause of the devastating blaze.
