Home severely damaged and roof destroyed after thatch catches fire

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service deployed 12 pumps to tackle a blaze in Bampton where a thatch roof had caught fire.

Fire engines from Bampton, Tiverton, Cullompton, Witheridge, South Molton and Wiveliscombe attended the incident, as well as the high volume pump and hose box from Taunton, the water bowser from Danes Castle and the incident command unit from Honiton.

Crews began by salvaging property from the building and tackling the fire using one main jet. Western Power were also requested to attend.

By 11pm on Saturday, fire crews had made good progress salvaging the property and creating a fire break in the thatch, but the blaze was breaking through the roof. As a result, firefighters used a nearby river to supply the incident with water. By this time two 105 metre ladders, 3 hose reel jets and 2 compressed air foam lances were being used to put the blaze out.

At 11.30pm additional fire crews were drafted in from stations close by and 3am on Sunday morning continued to remove thatch from the roof of the house.

The building was severely damaged in the fire and the roof completely destroyed. Firefighters deemed the cause to be accidental.