Firefighters praised for tackling thatched blaze

A homeowner has said firefighters went "above and beyond" in tackling a blaze which destroyed the top floor of her Grade-II listed thatched home.

Beth Collins, who lives at Bowden Hill near Lacock in Wiltshire, thought a garden fire had got out of control when she called 999.

"[There is] absolutely nothing you can do. It's just surreal. Everything happened very quickly," she said.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service had 55 firefighters and 13 engines out at one point - they said the fire started accidentally due to embers from a hedge fire caused by a bonfire.

The listed thatched home at Bowden Hill near Lacock had 55 firefighters working on it at one stage

"You don't have much time to think about it," said Ms Collins.

"You think where is all that smoke, where are all those flames from? I thought it was just a fire in the garden. Someone came hurtling down the road and said 'your thatch is on fire'."

She said she could not thank the fire service enough.

"They just worked like trojans, they went above and beyond. They carried out all our furniture, anything they could get."

The service saved most of the possessions, and Ms Collins said she plans to write to authorities later to thank them further.

She and her husband are not currently allowed back in the house, but she explained they are "very lucky" as they have some accommodation above their garage.

As it is listed, the cottage will be rebuilt.

The top floor of the house is destroyed

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said it was called out to the property on Monday afternoon and brought in resources from all over Wiltshire.

Local roads around the home were closed off, with firefighters working through the night.

They were able to leave the scene at 10:00 BST 22 July and the fire service has thanked the nearby pub The Bell Inn for refreshments.

Meanwhile, Ms Collins said herself and her husband are "fighting fit" and a bit tired.

She called the local community "caring and compassionate" as she explained they had been sent goodwill messages.