Thatch fire in Rickinghall

11 appliances from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service responded to reports of a property fire on The Street in Rickinghall, involving a two-storey, terraced thatched cottage. 

Upon arrival, the occupants were already out of the property and at a safe distance. Crews quickly divided the area into manageable sections to tackle the fire more effectively and safely.

Salvage was also prioritised, in an attempt to save as many of the occupants' belongings as possible. 

At the height of the incident, 16 firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were tackling the blaze. Equipment used included three high-pressure hose reel jets, two ladder hydrants to supply water, and a 13.5-metre ladder to access the upper floors.

At around 8pm, the incident was scaled back to four pumps, with a stop called at 9:56pm, signalling that no further resources were required on scene.

Around 90% of the thatch was removed during the incident, the road was closed and power to the property and those adjoining it was isolated. 

A single crew remained overnight to carry out hotspotting from the exterior of the property using a thermal imaging camera. Firefighters were able to leave the scene at 1.11pm on Monday (27th Oct).