Pictures - firefighters stay at burnt-out Banburyshire cottage all night to prevent fire reigniting

Photographs of the aftermath of yesterday's (Sunday) blaze that engulfed an historic thatched cottage in Hornton show firemen still attending to the burnt-out building almost 24 hours later.
By Roseanne Edwards
Published 1st Jun 2020, 12:54 BST
Updated 1st Jun 2020, 15:28 BST
Firefighters are lowered into the roof space of the cottage in Hornton to check heat readingsFirefighters are lowered into the roof space of the cottage in Hornton to check heat readings
Firefighters are lowered into the roof space of the cottage in Hornton to check heat readings

As reported in the Banbury Guardian story this morning, fire crews in six fire engines and a range of support vehicles, from three counties, tackled the fire which broke out at 3pm.

Fortunately the occupants and their dogs were not in the building. As they waited for the fire brigade, brave villagers broke in to check there was no one inside and removed what personal belongings they could for the couple.

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It was believed the damage to the cottage was so extensive that it may have to be demolished and re-built but it is now thought that - as a Grade 2 listed building - the ground floor is capable of being restored.

Fire crews have stayed at the property all night to ensure the building did not reigniteFire crews have stayed at the property all night to ensure the building did not reignite
Fire crews have stayed at the property all night to ensure the building did not reignite

Firemen stayed on site all night - using an incident unit for shelter - to make regular checks on heat levels using sophisticated detectors. It is understood the heat of the fire had been so great it threatened to reignite remaining timbers.

During the hours of fire fighting landlord and landlady of the village pub, The Dun Cow, took cold drinks to the firefighters and also took those remaining on the scene an evening meal.

The Thatch Advice Centre said they were glad no one was hurt and offered this advice sheet.