FIRE crews have spent several hours tackling a thatch roof blaze that gutted a cottage in Byfield.
The thatch caught fire at 5.30pm yesterday (Thursday).
Forty-five firefighters from Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire attended and two crews were still at the scene this morning (Friday).
Kevin Hornsey, station manager from Northampton and the chief firefighter at the incident, said: "It's too early to say categorically what caused it, but the house is heated by a real fire burner and we believe it may have something to do with that being accidentally ignited.
"Firefighters fought heroically through the night to try and limit the devastation to the property but, as with all cases of fire at thatched properties, the damage is extensive."
The elderly couple who live in the property managed to get out safely and are now staying with relatives.
Do you have pictures of the blaze? E-mail editorial@banburyguardian.co.uk