Thame: Fire investigators launch inquiry into thatch roof blaze

Roads in Thame town centre were closed and crews worked overnight to bring the fire under control and will remain on the scene today.

No injuries were sustained, however, one resident taken to hospital as a precaution.

Fire investigators are working on the cause of the incident but it is not thought to be deliberate at this stage.

A number of fire crews responded to a call at 17.42pm on Saturday August 12 to a fire affecting two properties on High Street in Thame (at the junction with Priest End.)

Appliances from across the Thames Valley attended on a rolling basis over the night and into today.

At its height there were 13 fire engines and two high reach appliances to tackle what was a significant thatch and roof fire affecting two houses.

Crews from the Thames Valley worked to tackle the fire, removing furniture and possessions from the houses to save them and then remove the thatch to save as much of the houses as possible.

Police and ambulance services were heavily involved in this operation, with one resident taken to hospital as a precaution.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tried to extinguish the blaze and stop the fire spreading.

Part of the process includes removing as much of the thatch and the neighbouring tiled roof as required, to remove fuel and create access.

Firefighters and the emergency services have been at the site throughout the night.

Police and three fire engines and crews are still at the property.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said this will be a protracted incident and there may be road closures in place for some of today (Sunday).

They urged people to stay away from the area and for those living in the area to keep windows closed when conditions are smoky.

Crews from across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service were at the scene, as well as an aerial platform and crew from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service.