Firefighters prevent fire spreading to thatched roof

Firefighters were called to a fire affecting a thatched roof cottage in Stortford Road, Little Canfield.

On arrival, crews reported that a fence was on fire and was starting to spread to the house. 

Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire and prevent it spreading to the thatched roof. 

Watch Manager Paul Curtis from Saffron Walden Fire Station said: “We believe this fire could have been caused by a discarded cigarette and with everything being so hot and dry at the moment, it caught the fence alight. 

“We’ve seen several fires recently where embers from cigarettes, bonfires and BBQs have caused fires and we expect there will be more over summer. You can help to prevent fires like this by making sure to properly stub out cigarettes and by completely cooling bonfire/BBQ ashes when you’re finished. You can use water to help speed up the process.”