Firefighters from stations across Suffolk and north Essex were called to tackle a blaze which started in the thatched roof of a home.
Crews from Sudbury, Woodbridge, Hadleigh, Colchester and Halstead were alerted just before 1pm to a fire in Crawley Road, Wissington, near Nayland.
The first crew arrived at 13.24pm and began to fight the flames using three hoses.
An hour later, back up arrived from Princes Street, Ipswich, and Long Melford stations.
The fire involved two semi-detached properties, measuring a total 21 metres by six metres.
Although the blaze was brought under control just after 3.50pm, firefighters were unable to save the roof from collapsing on both properties.
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