'I'm grieving over my fire-gutted cottage'

Rob Frankson is now living with family in Ixworth after his thatched cottage was destroyed

A man who lost his home in a fire said he was left grieving as he watched the property be reduced to rubble.

Rob Frankson was one of five homeowners to lose a Grade II listed thatched cottage when a row went up in flames on Low Street in Bardwell, Suffolk, on 19 April.

Those inside the historical properties managed to safely flee, but were left temporarily homeless after the fire destroyed the properties' roofs and first floors.

The area has been fenced off while workers made the site safe, before a decision is made on whether parts of the homes can be salvaged or would need demolishing.

The five homes were gutted by the blaze that took hold in April

The sight of the cottages being surrounded by metal scaffolding was "extremely painful", the homeowners said.

"There's a whole grieving process that's going on here," Mr Frankson added.

"You've got conflicting emotions because you know we've got to move on so it's got to come down in one fashion or not to be rebuilt," he said.

Workers are currently in the process of making the structures safe before they can be properly assessed

It is unknown whether the structures will need to be demolished, but before any major works start Listed Building Consent would need to be obtained.

"I'd like to think we can rebuild and come back here but there are a lot of factors involved in that, including if that needs to be rebuilt in a Grade II listed manner," added Mr Frankson.

Some of the owners of the cottages hope that their homes can one day be rebuilt

In the wake of the fire the village rallied together and raised more than £40,000 to support the families affected.

The village's efforts left the homeowners feeling "overwhelmed", said Mr Frankson.

"There's been a lot of money, which is great, but more so it's the thought behind that money, with actual people actually caring," he added.

"It's been outstanding - a massive thank you to everyone who has donated."

David Ruffles said it was "really sad" to see the state of the cottages

David Ruffles, the chair of Bardwell Parish Council, spearheaded the fundraising campaign.

"This village has been tremendous and I'm so proud of the way they have rallied behind the homeowners, because the fundraising was eye-watering," he said.

"It's very emotional that these cottages stood here for centuries but all of a sudden, in a matter of one Saturday night, they went.

"To see this now is really sad."