BRAVE firefighters managed to save a row of houses from being completely destroyed after a thatched roof on one cottage caught fire.

In total eight crews were called to Broad Street in Hatfield Broad Oak shortly after 4pm on Saturday. When the first arrived they reported that the roof was “well alight”.

An hour later and the firemen found themselves fighting the blaze on more than one front – some of them dashed inside to start retrieving valuable belongings.

At 7pm more crews were called in as flames continued to rage. But, just before 9pm, they had finally been extinguished.

Divisional officer Andy Stapleton said: “Crews battled hard and were able to contain the fire to the cottage where it started, saving the adjoining cottages.

“The roof has been devastated but it is thanks to their hard work and professionalism that this fire did not spread and destroy the entire terrace.”

An investigation will now take place to establish the cause of the fire.