Firefighters battling blaze at thatched cottages

Firefighters are battling a "significant" blaze at two thatched cottages in a Suffolk village.

Crews were called to the corner of Greyhound Road and Egremont Street in Glemsford, near Sudbury, shortly after at 09:30 BST.

The roof of one of the properties was 75% alight and the fire had spread to the neighbouring home.

One resident was rescued by firefighters, who are expected to remain at the scene for several hours.

Everyone inside the properties at the time is understood to be safe and Salvation Army teams are on site providing welfare support for crews.

A spokesperson for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said: "The incident is ongoing [but] good progress is being made at the scene.

"We ask people to avoid the area. Residents nearby are still advised to keep windows and doors closed due to residual smoke."

Firefighters from both Suffolk and Essex have been at the scene.

UK Power Networks isolated the electricity supply and police closed Greyhound Road.

Incident commander Lee Wilkins, of Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said the blaze was "significant in size".

Speaking to the BBC at the scene, he said: "It is quite tricky for us to fight the fire because the roof was designed to repel water.

"We have to strip the thatch away to try to save as much of the property as possible, but I am pleased to say everyone has safely exited the property.

"The owners are devastated – it is very sad and [there is] a lifetime of belongings, but we are doing as much as we can to save as much as possible."

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