Thatched cottage blaze not suspicious - fire crew

Suffolk firefighters were able to get the fire under control early on Friday morning

A fire that destroyed the roof of a thatched cottage has been ruled as not suspicious by firefighters.

Crews from Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex were called to the fire in Little Thurlow, near Haverhill in Suffolk, at 18:32 GMT on Thursday and the blaze was under control by 05:49 on Friday.

A spokesperson for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service confirmed two people from the house on Church Road were in the care of the ambulance service.

They added crews said the incident was not suspicious, but due to the damage investigations "may take some time to complete".

Crews from Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex tackled the fire at the cottage

Four Suffolk crews from Woodbridge, Clare and Haverhill attended, as well as a water tender from Halstead, Essex, firefighters from Cambridge and other support vehicles.

At the height of the fire, 15 appliances were on scene.

Some congestion was reported in the village.

On social media, Lee Wilkins, the group manager at Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: "On arrival they were met with a well-developed fire with significant smoke issuing across the village.

"Crews worked extremely hard to try to bring the fire under control and stop it spreading to adjacent properties... both the occupants were able to safely escape."

Crews said they would remain at the scene on Friday to dampen down the site

The service said it was working with UK Power Networks after part of the village had lost power.

Mr Wilkins said a fire investigation would take place on Friday during "daylight hours".

A fire service spokesperson added: "People are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible."