Investigation into thatched cottage roof fire

An investigation is taking place after 10 crews were called to tackle a fire in the roof of a thatched cottage.

Essex Fire Service was called to the house at Broad Street Green, Hatfield Broad Oak, near Stansted Airport, at about 15:20 GMT on New Year's Eve.

The roof was about 50% alight by the time they arrived, with 20 firefighters sent from Chelmsford, Harlow, Dunmow, Newport, Wethersfield, Corringham, Epping and Loughton.

The fire service said the blaze had been fully extinguished overnight and crews left the scene at 04:42 on Thursday.

The fire service also sent an aerial ladder platform, a water bowser and an incident command unit, as well as a drone.

A crew revisited the site on Thursday morning to check for hotspots, and the fire service said an investigation into the cause would be carried out.

Station manager Howard Midwood previously said: "We are committing a large amount of resources, including at this moment around 20 firefighters wearing breathing apparatus, who are continuing the arduous job of extinguishing the fire and stripping back the roof.

"Crews have done a fantastic job of creating firebreaks and salvaging possessions."

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