Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service remind owners of thatched properties to check their chimneys. Within the UK, over 80% of thatched properties are located in the counties of Devon & Somerset and over the last five days two major thatch fires have taken place.

The first incident took place within a 300 year old pub, the Kingsdon Inn in Somerset. The roof was completely destroyed by fire, with the first floor being severely damaged by fire and the ground floor slightly damaged by fire. Smoke detectors were fitted and operating. The fire was accidental, caused by a hot ember from the chimney landing on the thatch roof.

The second incident took place in Ottery St Mary. Adge Tike, Group Manager, who attended the incident said: “The most likely cause of this fire was heat being transferred from the flue of the chimney to the thatch roof.

“We are pleased by the successful conclusion of the incident. When the appliances arrived the roof was well alight, but we were able to put out the flames quickly, preventing the rest of the property being burned to the ground.

“This was greatly due to the construction of the roof as the thatch was under laid with plaster board, which sits between the roof and the building below. This creates a fire resistant layer between the roof and the house below, slowing the rate of burning and reducing the possible risk of damage to the property below.

“Smoke detectors were also fitted throughout the property including being in the eves of the roof.”

Fire in thatch is not an inevitable occurrence but it is an organic material, subject to different behaviour patterns depending on its surroundings, treatments and choice of materials or styles. It has a finite life span, measured in tens rather than hundreds of years. And above all it is combustible

Fire in a thatched roof is difficult to detect and once started is almost impossible to control as it will spread rapidly, due to the very nature of how thatch burns and detection is often too late and invariably devastating!

A thatched home can be ruined not only by the fire but by the amount of water needed to put it out, within an ancient cottage water can dissolve old cobb walls as well as causing serious water damage throughout.

Sweep your Chimney
It is vital that chimneys are regularly swept.  Regular inspection and cleaning of chimney flues will help prevent fires, we recommend the following:
• solid fuel appliances - once a year for smokeless fuel and twice a year for coal
• wood burning appliances - every three months when in use, note that soot builds up rapidly from wood fires; avoid using wet or unseasoned wood
• gas appliances - once a year if designed for sweeping
• oil appliances - once a year

Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms are the easiest way to alert you to the danger of fire, giving you precious time to escape. They are cheap, easy to get hold of and easy to fit.

In a thatched property smoke alarms need be fitted in the roof space and linked to the others in your home. A fire in the roof space will be detected and the warning will be given throughout the house, not having sufficient fire alarms means you are more than twice as likely to die in a fire at home. 

How do you look after smoke alarms?
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service advises you to:
• Once a year – Change your battery or consider buying a ten-year alarm which will not require frequent battery changes.
• Once a week – Check the alarm by pressing the button
• Once a year -   Vacuum and wipe the smoke alarm casing to ensure dust isn’t blocking the sensor chamber (For mains wired alarms, switch off first).

Contacts

National Society of Master Thatchers – contact details
www.nsmtltd.co.uk telephone 01844 281208

To find a certified Chimney Sweep, or for more information on chimney fire safety, please visit www.guild-of-master-sweeps.co.uk or www.nacs.org.uk.