FIRE has torn through a terrace of thatched cottages in Hitcham. Crews from across the county were called to the blaze at about 6pm last night.

A FIRE has destroyed a row of three terraced thatched cottages in Hitcham.

Around 60 firefighters from 13 separate fire crews were called to the massive blaze at Holly Tree Cottage, in Water Lane, at about 6pm last night.

No one was inside the cottages at the time of the blaze.

Today assistant divisional officer Mark Steggall, from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, praised the firefighters for their splendid work in bringing the flames under control by 11.30pm.

Mr Steggall said: “It was a very big fire which had spread through the whole of the thatch.

“The crews worked very hard against the winds and flames to salvage most of the contents.

“They worked on the roof to stop the fire spreading through the thatch.

“It was an exhausting job for them in difficult cold, windy conditions.”

Mr Steggall said it was not yet known how the fire began and fire investigations would be carried out today.

However he added it was not thought to be suspicious.