Devon workshop fire damages thatched house in Ashreighney

Firefighters were called to a blaze in the village of Ashreighney, near Chulmleigh, Devon, at about 11am on August 25.

Devon and Somerset Fire Service said that fuel in a neighbouring workshop caught fire and winds caused the conflagration to spread to the house's thatch roof.

Both the workshop and the thatched house were destroyed in the blaze.

The one person  at the property, described as being in a "quite remote location", escaped injury and fire crews were able to salvage belongings from the property.

For further details see the full story on the BBC Devon website Devon thatch fire.

Norfolk reed thatcher at work

Fascinating footage of a thatcher at work from YouTube.

Not exactly a thrilled-packed ride, but well worth a watch for lovers of thatch and thatching.

Radio blaze averted

A serious fire at a thatched property in Three Legged Cross, Dorset was narrowly averted earlier this month after fire crews promptly attended a domestic fire started when a plastic radio was left on an oven hob which was subsequently turned on by accident. Despite sustaining extensive smoke damage, the property was fortunate to be spared worse harm. 

Read the full story in the Daily Echo here.

Artist's impression only.

Latest wood burning stove and thatch incident

This is Somerset recently reported that firefighters were called to a fire at a thatched house in Muchelney near Langport earlier this month.

It was reported that "a fire engine from Martock was sent to the fire involving a wood burner at the property on Manor Lane at around 8pm on Sunday" (4 August) "Crews put out the fire and also dampened the thatched roof as a precaution.

The wood burner was moved to the outside of the house."

Read the full story here