Thatched cottage gutted by fire in Mareham on the Hill

Sadly, another one! 

Nine fire crews attended a thatched house fire in Main Road, Mareham on the Hill, near Horncastle last night.

Four hose reel jets, two cobra and breathing appliances were used to extinguish the blaze.

 Read more

The UK's smallest thatched cottage?

Not ideally suited for those over four foot in height, this is nonetheless a fine example of the thatcher's art.

Some visual inspiration for potential owners of thatched properties

This gallery of thatched cottages for sale from the Telegraph illustrates very persuasively the appeal of living in a thatched building.

Ranging from the humble to the grandiose, these beauties sell from a few hundred thousand to well over a million. Number 9 even comes with its own (compact) box hedge maze!

Prospective purchasers may worry about the safety profile of a thatch building, but, with proper maintenance and safety precautions, thatched roofs are no less effective and reliable than any other material. Insuring a thatched property can also be a lot easier and less expensive than you may think.

Interested in finding out more?

Contact us (see details on the left) and we'll be happy to expand!

Thatched roof fire sees planning consultant's career goes up in flames

Chris Board, 37, had his Essex home damaged in a fire in May 2011 He repaired the roof with new timber but did not seek planning permission, thinking he didn't need to as the changes didn't alter the house's appearance. But now a fine of £1,000 (plus £3,000 in costs) may be the least of his problems, as Board fears no one will want to employ a planner who has himself been convicted of committing a planning offence.

Read the full story in the Daily Mail here.

Fire chiefs issue stark warning to West Country thatched property owners

WITH the winter months approaching, fire fighters in North Devon are urging householders to ensure their chimney is safe.

Last year in North Devon and Exeter there were 238 fires, and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services had attended 75 in the area so far this year, including a chimney fire in Holsworthy yesterday (Thursday) evening.

Lee Shepherd, who has been a fire fighter at Barnstaple since 2002, is a registered chimney sweep and is urging people to keep their houses safe.

He said: “I’ve been sweeping over North Devon since 2007 and to date I have issued over 700 chimney certificates, given a lot of advice and learnt a lot along the way from many experienced builders and roofers.

“One of my elderly customers had been suffering from severe headaches for more than five years, and was prescribed various medications for this from her GP.

“Her routine would be to sit in front the gas fire every night and she would go off to bed very sleepy around 9pm.

“What they didn’t know was that she was suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, as the gas fire’s chimney had a large nest restricting the vent of fumes and gases escaping.”

Alan Kyle, watch manager at Bideford Fire Station, said: “With the colder, winter months looming, people will begin to start using open fires and their chimneys again.

“In order to keep you and your family safe from fire, you need to take necessary steps such as ensuring your chimney is swept regularly, depending upon what fuel you burn, and I would urge all householders to have a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm in their home.”

The fire service is also writing to all thatch property owners across Bideford, Barnstaple and Exeter to offer advice on keeping their homes safe.

“Although thatch fires are not common, over 90 per cent of thatched roof fires start as a result of a faulty flue or chimney,” added watch commander Kyle.

“The thatch is designed to repel water which makes extinguishing such fires difficult.”

See the full story in the North Devon Gazette here.

Thatch fire aftermath

The East Anglian Daily Times carried dramatic pictures this week showing the devastating effects of a thatch fire in Brettenham Road, Hitcham.

Click here to see more images.

Thatched cottage saved by firemen

FIREFIGHTERS prevented a thatched cottage in Cuxham being badly damaged by a blaze. 

They were called to the house at about 6.30pm on Tuesday and spent two hours tackling the fire. 

Seven fire engines from Henley, Wallingford, Thame and Abingdon arrived at the property where smoke was billowing from the ground floor. 

Eight firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire, which was caused by an open fire in the living room that had been left unattended. 

A water carrier, incident support unit, control unit, rescue tender and aerial ladder platform also attended. 


Station manager Bob Speakman said: “This unfortunate incident could have been far worse had the fire taken hold of the thatched roof. 

“As it was, the right resources were put in place and quick intervention by crews prevented the spread of fire from the living room. 

“I am convinced that given a few more minutes left unchecked, the fire would have spread to the roof and caused extensive damage.” 

He urged householders with open fires to use a guard and to have a working smoke alarm. 

Read more on this story here

Firefighters tackle cottage blaze near Watlington

Eight firefighters helped fight a serious house blaze that could have spread to neighbouring houses if it had been left for a few more minutes.

The fire took place at a thatched cottage in Cuxham village, near Watlington at around 6.10pm yesterday.

Smoke was coming from the living room area on the ground floor and eight firefighters were needed to extinguish the serious blaze to stop it spreading to the thatched roof and houses next door.

Seven fire engines from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the house.

Station Manager Bob Speakman said, “This unfortunate incident could have been far worse had the fire taken hold of the thatched roof.

"As it was, the right resources were put in place and quick intervention by crews prevented the spread of fire from the living room area.

“I am convinced that given only a few more minutes left unchecked, the fire would have spread to the roof, causing extensive damage and the threat of spread to other surrounding thatched properties.”

Read more here

Devon fire crews report thatch fire in Axminster

Fire Control received a call reporting a chimney fire at a thatched property in Holy City. Two appliances from Chard attended the property, the fire was believed to be out and crews used a thermal imaging camera to ensure the fire was extinguished.

See the incident report here.

How thatched roofed pub landlords pulled back from the brink of ruin after devastating fire

A recent story in the Bridport News reports how two popular East Devon publicans are retiring after coming close to ruin following a devastating that fire several years ago:

Brian Jenkins, 62, and wife Denise Jenkins, 59, have been pulling pints at the New Inn at Kilmington, East Devon, for more than 21 years.

They have led the pub into being one of CAMRA’s Magnificent Seven, as they are in the select group of pubs mentioned in each of the 41 editions of the Good Beer Guide.

The couple’s success was made all the more satisfying after the pub was destroyed by a fire sparked in the thatched roof and was shut for nearly a year for rebuilding.

Mr Jenkins said: “We only had what we stood up in and that was it, everything else was gone. It was devastating, and it plays on my mind now when I start thinking about it.”

After the fire, the pub was rebuilt and reopened.

Read more here

174-year-old Barrington school has roof re-thatched

One of the last remaining schools with a traditional thatched roof has had the rustic reeds replaced during the summer holidays.

The 174-year-old school in the village of Barrington was re-thatched with a reed roof for the first time in village’s living memory.

Teaching 150 children, the school is one of only three in the country to have a traditional thatched roof.

The school’s Headteacher, Mrs Francesca Catterson, said: “This year marks Barrington primary school’s 175th anniversary and just in time for the celebrations, the old school house received a much needed makeover. “We are absolutely delighted with the new thatch which required the specialist skills and know-how of Pepper Thatchers.

“Despite our age the school retains the same strong Christian family values upon which it was founded.”

Chris Pepper, of Pepper’s Cambridge Thatching, said: “It is extremely unusual for a school in this country to have a thatched roof and we have never done one before,

“The school roof has taken about six weeks to complete. We need to have it ready in charge for the new school term.”

Val Tookey, clerk of Barrington Parish Council, said: “‘I have been connected to the village for more than 40 years and I don’t remember it ever being thatched before. It has been re-patched in the past, but it’s the first time it has been re-thatched completely for a long, long time, and definitely not within my lifetime.”

She added: “It has been exciting to see it being done.”

Opened in 1838, the school the school cost £500 to build, which included £25 for the sedge roof

Read more here

Survey of thatched fire causation and outcomes

A new report from scientific consulting and engineering firm Burgoynes has thrown some interesting new light on what causes thatch fires.

Burgoynes investigate 20-30 thatch fires a year.  While thatch fires represent a small proportion of building fires as a whole, they note, the losses are disproportionately high because thatched properties are generally of higher than average value and are frequently listed structures, leading to high repair costs. Thatch fires are also difficult to extinguish and tend to be in remote locations, with inadequate water supplies, leading to increased damage.

Whilst a few thatch fires are a result of the spread of fire from elsewhere inside or outside the building, the association with chimneys serving solid fuel fireplaces, stoves or ranges has been recognised for some time. Traditionally, it was assumed that the thatch was ignited by embers emitted from the chimney but this assumption was challenged in a 1988 report from RHM Technology,

This highlighted the possibility that heat transfer through the chimney structure into the thatch could cause fires to break out. Although no actual cases of high temperatures in thatch in buildings with chimneys in use were demonstrated in the report, this heat transfer theory has gained widespread acceptance over time amongst those with interests in thatch fires including Fire Brigades and Local Authorities. 

This lass led to statements such as that appearing on some fire brigade website warning that “more than 90% of fires in thatched properties are caused by faults in the flue or chimney”...

Read more here.

Firefighters battle to save East Garston thatched roof

FIREFIGHTERS from five local stations battled to save the thatched roof of an East Garston cottage yesterday (Sun) evening.

Watch manager Lee Glover, of Blue Watch at Newbury Fire Station said pumps were called at 7.18pm from Newbury, Hungerford, Swindon, Ramsbury and Wantage – around 25 firefighters – to the fire in the thatched roof of a cottage in Station Road.

“The thatch was well alight,” said Mr Glover, adding the cause was believed to be a log burner, lit for the first time yesterday.

Firefighters pulled out thatch either side of the fire, creating a break, to prevent it spreading further.

The thatch was 40 per cent damaged in the blaze.

“Normally we lose 90 per cent in a thatch fire,” added Mr Glover.

The blaze was extinguished by 11pm, when the fire fighting operation was scaled down to two pumps.

No-one was hurt.

One pump was left on watch to ensure the fire did not re-ignite and a Newbury crew inspected the fire at 7.30am today (Mon) when the incident was closed.

The roof was covered in tarpaulin sheets after the fire.

Read the full story in Newbury Today here

Close shave for Suffolk thatched roof

Firefighters were called to a chimney fire at a thatched property in The Street, Icklingham, Suffolk just after 7pm on 14 September.

Fortunately the fire did not affect the building's thatched roof and the  incident was under control by 8pm.

Read the full story on EADT24

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.

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

The dangers of wood burning stoves

The Daily Telegraph reports that "thatched cottage owners could be putting themselves at risk by using wood burning stoves in homes where the roofs are unable to cope with the intense heat from the modern wood fires.

There are 400,00 ancient thatched cottages in Britain, many listed as being of special interest, but each winter dozens are lost to fires and fire brigades often point to wood burning stoves as the cause.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service issued the warning after six thatched cottages were damaged by fire, believed to be caused by wood burning stoves, in a three week period.

An investigation into three of the fires, which took place near Andover when temperatures plummeted below freezing this April, found wood burning stoves were a factor in each of the blazes.

Community Safety Officer Paul Francis, who's leading a campaign to encourage thatched home owners to maintain their chimneys, said "Modern enclosed solid fuel appliances are designed to burn at an increased temperature to promote a more efficient 'clean burn'.

“But when fitted in elderly chimneys with only a four-inch layer of brick and a poorly maintained lining, the thatch becomes extremely vulnerable to heat transfer and therefore fire."

The fires near Andover took place between 29 March and 7 April, and saw up to 70 firefighters called out to put out the blaze each time. The fire service has created a ‘thatch pack’ with fire safety tips for owners in a bid to try and avoid more cottages being destroyed, which advises owners to ensure chimneys are swept regularly and roofs are properly lined.

See the full story here.

A bit of a round-up of thatch fires this year:

Rougham: Crews attend fire at thatched property

http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/rougham_crews_attend_fire_at_thatched_property_1_1204970

Thursday, February 9, 2012
FIRE crews have been called out to a chimney fire at a thatched property.

Two fire engines and a turntable ladder from Bury St Edmunds and a fire engine from Elsmwell attended Nether Street in Rougham after they were alerted at 5.46pm.

On arrival crews found that the thatch was not involved in the fire.

It was brought under control at 6.33pm and crews were back at their station by 7.43pm.

Fire victim thanks fire crews and partygoers for support

http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/victim-thanks-crews-partygoers-support/story-15177671-detail/story.html

Thursday, February 09, 2012

A WOMAN whose thatched cottage caught alight has praised firefighters and her stoic neighbours for their help in her hour of need.  Carol Barkwell 52, and her husband Rob, 50, are picking up the pieces after their home, West Fishleigh Farm, near Hatherleigh, caught alight on Saturday at around 2.30pm.

Half of the thatch was destroyed in the fire, but Mrs Barkwell said the damage would have been far worse had it not been for the quick-thinking firefighters, who managed to remove a lot of the thatch and put a fire break up so quickly.

The businesswoman said the only room which was badly damaged by the fire was their lounge, and the firefighters managed to rescue a number of antique and valuable paintings from inside the detached property.  No one was hurt during the blaze which started at around 2.30pm, and was out by 7.20pm.

Commander Pete Bond and Martin Davies from Barnstaple oversaw the incident, which involved 13 fire appliances and more than 80 firefighters.

Mrs Barkwell said: "The firefighters were absolutely fantastic, they were here within minutes and made a fire break.  "They managed to save all our pictures and personal belongings, I kept saying, 'oh no what about that picture of Granny', and they'd go straight back in and rescue it for me."

"They were absolutely marvellous. I've never been involved in a fire before and they really did work like Trojans. They just kept carrying stuff out, they got everything out I wanted, they were wonderful."

She added: "They were there for hours, they didn't leave until nearly 8.30pm."  In praise of her neighbours at the Made Well project, which was hosting six-year-old Cameron Kellaway's birthday party at the time, Mrs Barkwell said: "I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who was at the Made Well.  "They were just stoic, they kept appearing with home-made cakes and tea for the firemen. Then this morning (Sunday) they turned up with eggs, bacon and sausages.  "There were about 20 of them on site helping to clean everything up. They have been fantastic, the community spirit is wonderful — this is what living in the country is all about, you wouldn't have this in other parts of the country."

Cameron's mum, Claire Kellaway, 34, said her son's birthday quickly turned into a major incident after her husband Andy, 50, spotted the thatch was alight.  He called the fire service and ran into the house to put out the fire inside the property.  Claire said: "It was the first birthday party they had held at the Made Well. We were the guinea pigs, we booked it last year not knowing the entertainment would be so dramatic.  "We ended up making around 100 cups of tea because there were more than 80 firemen there.  "My son thought it was wonderful. It's not often you get 13 fire engines turn up at your birthday party, and afterwards they all came in and sang happy birthday to him and let him wear a fireman's hat for a photo." 

Mrs Barkwell, who has lived at the home for nine years with her husband and three dogs, added it was money well spent getting the thatch fitted using modern techniques, which incorporates aluminium to stop fire spreading.

Firefighters from Hatherleigh, Okehampton, North Tawton, Torrington, Chulmleigh, Holsworthy, Bideford, Barnstaple, Exeter, Tavistock and Ilfracombe were all at the scene on the Saturday.  The couple are unsure of what exactly started the fire, and said investigations were ongoing.

Chimney fire at Exbourne thatched cottage

http://www.okehamptonpeople.co.uk/Chimney-Exbourne-thatched-cottage/story-15167005-detail/story.html

Wednesday, February 08, 2012, 11:25

Local fire crews were again called to a fire at a thatched cottage - the fourth local thatch blaze in less than a week - this time in Exbourne.  On this occasion a  chimney on fire caused the emergency with fire appliances from North Tawton and Hatherleigh attending the scene.  On arrival the fire service confirmed there was indeed a chimney fire which involved a wood burning stove and the main beam in the fireplace.  Fire crews requested the incident support unit from Crediton and an appliance from Okehampton also attend with specialist equipment.

Fire crews extinguished a small fire in a ground floor living room involving a wooden beam in a chimney breast and later removed the beam using small tools, chimney gear, a ladder for access and a thermal image camera to check for hot spots.

The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental.

Historic inn ready to reopen doors after blaze

http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Historic-inn-ready-reopen-doors-blaze/story-15146554-detail/story.html

Monday, February 06, 2012

One of Cornwall's most famous waterside pubs is to reopen its doors just under a year after fire ripped through the 13th century inn.  The historic and much-loved Pandora Inn at Restronguet, near Falmouth, will be back in business on March 9 after a programme of restoration which included thatching the roof.

Fourteen fire crews fight Hatherleigh thatch fire - update

http://www.okehamptonpeople.co.uk/Fourteen-crews-fight-Hatherleigh-thatch/story-15131237-detail/story.html

Saturday, February 04, 2012, 16:41

Fire appliances from Hatherleigh, Okehampton (2), North Tawton, Torrington (with a compressed air foam system), Chulmleigh, Holsworthy and Bideford attended the scene,  together with a water foam carrier from Barnstaple, the aerial ladder platform from Danes Castle Exeter, the hose layer from Tavistock and the incident command unit with a supporting appliance from Ilfracombe. Western Power were also requested to attend this incident to isolate the power supply to the property.

The Fire Service take up the story...

Upon arrival, fire crews confirmed the thatch roof of a property well alight around the chimney and were at work with two breathing apparatus wearers and two hose reel jets.

Update at 14:47 hrs - Fire crews requested a further two fire appliances from Appledore and Bideford, together with a compressed air foam systems appliance and a second water bowser from Danes Castle Exeter.

Update at 14:51 hrs - Police have been requested to attend to urgently close the road at this incident.

Update at 15:03 hrs - Fire crews confirm one single storey detached private property with a thatched roof, measuring twenty four metres by ten metres, with a mezzanine floor.  Approximately twenty five percent of the roof is well alight and fire crews are making efforts to make fire breaks in the thatch to prevent further fire spread.  Fire crews are at work with one main jet from a street hydrant, two hose reel jets and two breathing apparatus wearers.

Update at 15:12 hrs - The number of breathing apparatus wearers has increased to four.  Fire crews are making efforts to remove contents from the property.

Update at 15:23 hrs - The British Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support Services team have been requested to attend this incident from Plymouth.

Update at 15:25 hrs - Group Commander Bond is now in charge of this incident.

Update at 15:38 hrs - Fire crews are making steady progress creating fire breaks and continuing with salvage operations.

Update at 16:06 hrs - Fire crews are at work with five hose reel jets, one main compressed air foam systems jet and four breathing apparatus wearers.  Ladders are also being utilised for access.

Update at 17:48 hrs - Fire crews continuing to make steady progress with one hose reel jet, breathing apparatus has now been discontinued.  The incident will be scaled down shortly.

Fire under Control message timed at 18:35 - Domestic residence 25m x 15m, 50 per cent of thatched roof saved by crews making fire breaks, water damage to property, majority of antique and valuable paintings saved and removed from the property by fire crews. Equipment used includes ladders,aerial ladder platform, six breathing apparatus wearers at a time, compressed air foam jets, five hose reels, crews continuing to dig out. Incident scaled down to 3 crews.

All firefighting has now ceased 19:21 and crews leaving the scene

Twenty fire crews fight Crediton thatch fire - update

http://www.okehamptonpeople.co.uk/crews-fight-Crediton-thatch/story-15111584-detail/story.html

Thursday, February 02, 2012, 16:0

Twenty fire appliances were called to Buller Square, Mill Road, Crediton just after 12.30 today (Thurs) when five thatched properties in this historical part of the town were reported to be on fire.  With the roof well alight on two sides, fire crews used compressed air foam jets, water jets, hose reel jets and breathing apparatus as they attempted to control the blaze.

Fire appliances from Crediton, Danes Castle (Exeter), Middlemoor (Exeter), North Tawton, Witheridge, Tiverton, Topsham, Moretonhampstead, Cullompton, Chumleigh, Sidmouth, Honiton, and South Molton are at the scene.  Staff working at a nearby pub described seeing "a large plume of greyish brown smoke going high in the sky".

Thatched roof fire and overturned car in Stonham Aspal

http://www.dissexpress.co.uk/news/latest-news/thatched_roof_fire_and_overturned_car_in_stonham_aspal_1_3424041

Published on Monday 16 January 2012 10:08

A COTTAGE in Stonham Aspal was extensively damaged during a thatched roof fire yesterday.  Firefighters from Debenham, Needham Market, Elmswell, Stowmarket Leiston, Woodbridge, Framlingham, Eye, Bury St Edmunds and two each from Ipswich Princes Street and Ipswich East attended the property in East End Road at about 10.15am.

They found 30 per cent of the roof was not involved in the fire, and were also able to salvage the contents of the ground floor inside the cottage.  Two hours later, good progress was being made, and firefighters had been able to get inside onto the first floor.  Before long, though, the first floor had become unstable.  At about 12.55pm, a further water carrier from Sudbury was called for, as attempts to locate additional water were initially unsuccessful.

Eventually, the crews had to use water from a pond in front of a nearby cottage: this extra water proved vital in stopping the fire from reigniting the thatch.  The fire was put out shortly before 2pm, although one crew was still on the scene at about 5.15pm, using a thermal imaging camera to check for hot spots. 

The car had to be secured to a fire engine to prevent it from falling into a deeper ditch.

Police and Ambulance were called to the scene, with the crew from Elmswell remaining there to give assistance.

Historic Thatched Pub Destroyed by Fire in Milton Keynes

The Swan Inn in Milton Keynes – an historic thatched pub dating to the 13^th Century – was severely damaged by fire yesterday.  Most of the thatch was destroyed and substantial damage done to the building.

Initial thoughts are that sparks from the chimney are to blame.  Staff failed to extinguish the fire and ultimately 40 firefighters were in attendance. 

Dr John  C Mitchell