Thatched roof advice after families left homeless

Crews were called to Glemsford on 6 August to reports of a thatched roof fire

Thatched homeowners are being urged to consider safety measures after several properties were destroyed and families left homeless over the past few weeks.

Thatched cottages in both Glemsford and Bardwell in Suffolk were hit with significant fires leading to an outpouring of community support and fundraising.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said residents should fit smoke alarms, have chimneys swept regularly and never burn unseasoned, wet, soft or tanalised (pressure-treated) wood.

Lee Wilkins, group manager and head of prevention at the fire service, said thatched fires could be "particularly devastating".

Two thatched cottages were destroyed in a fire in Glemsford, near Sudbury, on 6 August.

Firefighters were forced to strip the thatch away to save as much of the property as possible.

The fire service was investigating the cause of the blaze.

Five families were left homeless after a row of thatched cottages went up in flames in Bardwell in April

In Bardwell, near Bury St Edmunds, five families lost their homes when a row of thatched cottages went up in flames on 19 April.

The cause of the fire was determined to be a hot ember from a chimney that ignited the dry thatch.

In total there have been 19 thatched fires across the county in the past two years.

Mr Wilkins said there was a high proportion of thatched homes in Suffolk compared with other counties.

"When we've got these hot, dry conditions, our firefighters in their full personal protective equipment, up on the roof, up close and personal with the fire - it's particularly arduous."

The Bardwell thatched roof fire led to an outpour of community support for the affected families

The fire service has various leaflets, in collaboration with the Thatch Advice Centre, offering "advice to keep homes and residents safe.

It is recommended that homeowners carry out regular electrical inspections.

Smoke alarms should be fitted on all floors and in the roof space, and tested regularly.

Chimneys should be checked to ensure they are in good condition and cleaned, and the greater the chimney height the higher the dispersal of any embers away from the thatch.

Lofts should also be kept free of storage items to allow ease of access in case of fire.