Sixty Firefighters Battling Blaze at Historic Thatch in Braishfield
Sixty firefighters are scrambling this lunchtime to save a priceless grade 2 listed thatched property on Lower Street, Braishfield, near Romsey. The fire broke out just after 12.20pm, sparking a major emergency response.
Massive Fire Response from Across Hampshire
Ten fire engines have been dispatched from across the county, including crews from St Mary’s, Romsey, Hythe, Beaulieu, Portchester, Eastleigh, Winchester, and Basingstoke. A water carrier from Andover is also on site due to low water pressure in the remote area.
Firefighters Fight Blaze with Foam, Ladders and High-Pressure Jets
The police have shut Lower Street to clear the way for fire crews. Firefighters are using high-pressure hose reel jets, breathing apparatus, and foam to combat the flames. They’ve deployed three 135-foot ladders to hack away burning thatch and are operating three covering jets to control the fire’s spread.
A Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) is also being used to tackle the blaze, which has ripped through an outhouse and spread to the main house — a property worth around a million pounds.
Owner Shocked as Fire Rages
“I was out at the time and have no idea how this started,” the owner told reporters at the scene.
The full extent of the damage is still unfolding, with firefighters working tirelessly to save the historic home from devastation.
