Family left homeless after blaze at historic thatched cottage

A young family are facing the prospect of being made homeless tonight after a fire tore through the thatched roof of their historic cottage.

The couple and their one-week-old baby were evacuated from their home on the Suffolk/Norfolk border when a neighbour raised the alarm after seeing smoke coming from the roof of the 17th century cottage.

Nine appliances were called to the scene of the fire at The Ling, in Garboldisham, near Diss.

The occupants evacuated the building and no one was injured.

Crews from East Harling, Diss, Thetford, Attleborough, Wymondham, and two from Suffolk attended the blaze, which has destroyed the majority of the thatched roof.

Firefighters salvaged much of the furniture and possessions from the large detached house.

An investigation into the cause of the blaze has been launched, which is believed to have been caused by a wood burner.