Major cottage fire 'probably started in thatched roof'

The fire was at a cottage in Bondleigh near Winkleigh. Credit: ITV News Westcountry

Crews are clearing up after more than 15 engines were called to a cottage fire in West Devon last night.

The Fire Service was called at around 6.20 yesterday evening to a property in Bondleigh, not far from Winkleigh. With crews coming from as far as Exeter, Honiton and Ivybridge.

On arrival crews say they confirmed that the roof was well alight and got to work fighting the fire using a water jets and foam. Crews also entered the property with breathing apparatus.

Much of the roof was on fire when crews arrived on the scene. Credit: ITV News Westcountry.

The Fire Service says good progress had been made by 6:00 in the morning, and the operation began to be scaled-down.

Those living in the property were not injured, and have been back today to inspect the damage.

The Incident Commander Nick Jones told ITV News Westcountry that the crews worked quickly to contain the fire and salvage most of the possessions inside the property: