A 101-YEAR-OLD woman was carried from her burning home on a chair by firefighters before her home was completely destroyed.

Neighbours alerted the lady, and her son, that their thatched home had flames coming out of the roof. They had called the Fire Service but the son started to try to fight the fire with a garden hose.

Fire crews from North Tawton and Crediton were first on the scene. At the height of the blaze there were 90 firefighters at Little Langford, near Bow.

Flames were said to be leaping 20ft above the roof when the fire was at its worst.

The occupants were alerted to the fire at about 6pm on Sunday, February 20, at about the same time the Fire Service was told of the blaze. The elderly woman was checked over by an ambulance crew at the scene as a precaution.

The L-shaped property comprised an original cottage and a large extension. The fire is believed to have started in the chimney as a wood burning stove was alight at the time the blaze began.

Adge Tilke, group manager, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue, said: "Our immediate response to this kind of incident is eight pumps and a water carrier. "When we arrived the roof was well alight.

"It is reasonable to assume that the fire had been burning within the roof space undetected for some time."

He said that fire crews were able to remove some of the contents from the property to a nearby outbuilding.

"Once we can see that the whole building is involved and we have got out what we can, and we know that we cannot save the building, it becomes a controlling exercise."

Crews spent the night at the scene, during which many properties in a wide area suffered from a power cut.

An 11,000-volt cable ran close to the property. Western Power Distribution attended to isolate the property's electrical supply.

The fire was brought under control at about 11.30pm.

One firefighter was treated for a hand injury.

The next day, a building inspector from Mid Devon District Council visited the property and deemed the building unsafe, meaning it will have to be demolished.

Mr Tilke added: "The family were very distressed. Their family home is now in ruins. It is all the personal artefacts inside that you collect over a life-time that we can't bring back." Alan Quick