Massive Thatched Roof Blaze Doused in Rayne
Firefighters launched a major operation late Saturday night to tackle a huge thatch roof fire in Rayne. The 15 by 10 metre blaze ripped through a two-storey property on Long Lane, sparking an urgent emergency call at 10.54pm on April 26.
Nine Crews Battle Flames Through the Night
Essex Fire and Rescue Service deployed nine fire crews from across the region, including Braintree, Chelmsford, Great Dunmow, Halstead, Maldon, Thaxted, Tiptree, and Wethersfield. Reinforcements included an Incident Command Unit from Witham and a Water Bowser from Halstead to keep the fire-hungry blaze drenched in water.
Group Manager Scott Meekings hailed the swift response. He said:
“Although there were working smoke alarms, thankfully the occupants were awake and noticed when the fire started. They got out safely and called 999.
Crews worked really hard to get the fire under control and remove the burning thatch material. We were able to scale the incident down by around 2am, but crews remained at the scene into the morning to turn over materials and dampen down.”
Log Burner Blamed for Near Disaster
Early investigations suggest the fire was sparked by a log burner that ignited the highly flammable thatch. Luckily, no injuries were reported thanks to the occupants’ quick thinking and the rapid fire service response.
Warning to Thatch Homeowners
Essex Fire and Rescue Service is urging those living in thatched properties to keep log burners and chimneys well maintained. “Thatch fires can spread fast and cause devastating damage,” they warn.
Residents are reminded to stay vigilant to avoid similar midnight mayhem.
