FIREFIGHTERS managed to stop a thatched cottage near Devizes being completely destroyed despite its remote location making it difficult to get water to the house.

Devizes retained fire commander Pip Flowers said: "Our crew was first on the scene and the fire had already taken a strong hold in the roof but we managed to contain it and stop it destroying the whole cottage. In firefighting terms that is a good result.

"Getting water to the cottage was a complete nightmare because of its remote location at the end of a long lane. We had to use a relay system of pumps."

Tenants of the Grade II listed cottage at Roundway Park, Devizes, raised the alarm just after 5pm when they realised there was smoke coming from the roof. It is believed the cause of the blaze was related to the flue from the woodburning stove.

At the height of the blaze, 12 fire engines were in attendance – two from Devizes, two from Trowbridge, Calne, Chippenham, Marlborough, Melksham, Warminster, Ramsbury, Hungerford and Lambourn.

They were supported by an operational support unit from Swindon, a 4x4 Land Rover pump from Westbury, an incident command vehicle from Stratton, a water carrier from Pewsey and scene lighting from Warminster.

British Red Cross emergency response volunteers from Swindon were also mobilised to help the occupants of the property.

By 8pm, the fire had been brought under control, with five relief crews brought in to continue turning over and damping down – these came from Corsham, Wilton, Stratton, Royal Wootton Bassett and Malmesbury.

At midnight, the attendance was further reduced to three pumps – from Westlea, Mere and Amesbury – and a one pump watching brief has been in place since 5.30am today initially from Swindon and then from Devizes.

In addition to stripping thatch from the roof and tackling the blaze, firefighters worked hard to salvage as many possessions as possible for the occupants.

A range of safety advice for people who live in thatched properties can be found at www.wiltsfire.gov.uk/thatchedproperties