96 firefighters tackle blaze at thatched cottages

The fire destroyed the roofs and damaged the first floors of the of the semi-detached homes in Audlem, near Market Drayton.

Fourteen fire engines were called to the fire in Whitchurch Road shortly after 7pm on Wednesday. Firefighters tackled the blaze for about six hours and remained at the scene until yesterday afternoon damping down.

Today Chris Heyes, fire investigator for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, said he was still unsure how the fire started.

He said: "The occupants of the homes were alerted by a passer-by that the thatched roof was on fire.

"They did the exact right thing. They evacuated the property and immediately called the fire brigade. Crews started extinguishing the blaze as soon as they arrived, the only way they could do that was to remove the entire roof.

"A lot of firefighters were deployed, 96 in total, and we had a maximum of 30 firefighters on the scene at any one time."

Mr Heyes added: "There was extensive damage, obviously to the roof and to the first floors of both homes.

"Fire crews in attendance assisted with salvaging some valuable items and worked hard to ensure furniture was protected.

"Fortunately nobody was injured but one lady taken to hospital as a precaution.

"The residents of both properties have now gone to say with relatives."

Fire engines from Whitchurch, Audlem, Nantwich, Crewe, Chester, Malpas, Sandbach, Tarporley, Middlewich, Holmes Chapel, Congleton, and Northwich attended.

Gas and electricity supplies were isolated and the road was closed.

Graham Field, of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, who is based at Whitchurch, was one of the firefighters on the scene.

He said: "It was a really bad fire. We are still unsure how it started but it could have been from the chimney.

"The roof was completely destroyed and there was a lot of water damage and smoke damage in the property.

"We could see the fire as we were on our way.

"The entire roof was engulfed in flames and there was a lot of black smoke," he added.