AROUND 50 firefighters have tackled a ferocious blaze which destroyed a thatched property.

A Hadleigh fire crew was originally called to a chimney fire at the end-terrace home, one of three adjoining two-storey properties in Withermarsh Green, near Stoke-by-Nayland, at around 2pm.

They were soon joined by colleagues from Colchester, Sudbury and Woodbridge as the flames spread from a chimney to the thatched roof.

By around 2.30pm the thatch was completely ablaze and support from Ipswich’s Princes Street and Colchester Road stations was called in.

They used ladders and hoses to try and fight the fire but shortly afterwards the flames spread to the roof of the neighbouring property.

After more than an hour of fighting the fire, the roof of the end-terrace property collapsed.

Shortly before 4.45pm fire officers said the blaze was being contained and they had established a fire break between the worst-hit home and the two others adjoining.

Local roads were closed off while emergency services tackled the incident.

It is not yet known what caused the blaze.

Meanwhile, a crew from Holbrook was dealing with another chimney fire.

The small blaze started in a multi-fuel burner just after 4pm at an address in Church Hill. They used a water backpack the douse the flames before checking for hotspots and ensuring there was no risk of re-ignition.