FIREFIGHTERS and local residents have been praised for their swift action which prevented a fire in a thatched roof spreading to neighbouring properties.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service received a call from a member of the public reporting a fire involving their thatch roof in Newton Cottages, Leigh Cross, Zeal Monachorum, at 7.55pm yesterday, Monday, April 6.

Eight fire appliances, a water carrier and an aerial ladder platform were immediately mobilised by fire control.

On arrival the Incident Commander confirmed that an end of terraced property had a fire involving the external thatch on the roof.

Crews got to work to extinguish and stop the spread of the fire by removing thatch from the roof around the seat of the fire to prevent fire spread.

A number of 13.5m ladders were used along with compressed air foam, breathing apparatus and small tools. Thermal imaging cameras were used to check the fire was out.

The crews on scene quickly gained control and subsequently extinguished the fire, preventing the spread to neighbouring properties.   

Local residents were also praised for their actions before fire crews arrived, using fire extinguishers to tackle the roof fire.

Firefighters and local residents removed much of the interior furniture from the property and neighbouring property as a precautionary measure while other firefighters tackled the blaze.

Newton Cottages, while in Zeal Monachorum parish, are near East Leigh in Coldridge parish.

About 40 years ago a similar fire occurred at the very same property.

Firefighters from across the county attended that fire which destroyed much of the upstairs of the property.