Cottage destroyed after devastating fire in Great Gransden

A cottage in Great Gransden has been destroyed following a fire last night (Tuesday).

More than 50 firefighters were called to the fire, which started in the thatched roofing, of the property in West Street about 10.30pm.

The first crew to arrive quickly requested further fire engines and a multistar aerial appliance.

The fire was in the roof and spread across the thatch. While some crews worked to cut away the thatch to try and stop it spreading, others entered the house and carried out a salvage operation to remove the owners’ property.

Station commander Scott Feveyear, said: “Despite the tireless efforts of crews working through the night, the damage to the house is considerable. Crews made several attempts to cut away the thatch to make a fire break but the fire spread rapidly. The roof has collapsed into the first floor and the house is structurally unstable. Crews managed to recover a lot of property from inside the house to prevent it from being damaged too but the house has sadly been lost.”

The homeowners, a couple, had been in the house at the time of the fire.

A neighbour alerted them to the thatch being on fire and they were able to escape to safety unharmed.

Officers from Cambridgeshire police were in assistance as the stretch of road between Meadow Road and Fox Street was closed, and remains closed today as the building is structurally unsafe.

Crews from Cambridge, Sawtry, Gamlingay, Papworth, Huntingdon and St Neots, along with crews from Potton Kempston from Bedfordshire attended the scene.

Crews remain at the scene today dampening down the area and a fire investigation will take place when it is deemed safe.