EIGHT fire crews have tackled a large blaze at a cottage in a rural Suffolk village.

The incident in Framlingham Road, Easton, was first reported as a shed fire at about 6.35am and two crews from Framlingham and Woodbridge were sent to the scene.

On arrival they found that the fire was much more serious and was affecting about 50 per cent of a cottage. Firefighters called for support and a further four crews from Debenham, Saxmundham, Ipswich and Orford were sent out.

As the blaze continued, two more crews from Orford and Ipswich were added to the firefighting force and six jets and three hose reels were used in the operation.

The flames were finally extinguished by 9.15am and firefighters remain at the scene to damp the property down. Roads around the property were closed for several hours as firefighters fought the blaze but have now been reopened.

Nobody was injured in the fire and a joint police and fire service investigation will now be carried out to establish how it started.