THE owner of a listed cottage destroyed by fire has spoken of her sorrow.

The blaze broke out at Fuchsia Cottage, East Bergholt, just after 1.20am on Sunday.

Emergency services initially feared the occupant who rented the 16th century cottage in Gaston Street was unaccounted for.

However, firefighters say they are now satisfied no-one was harmed in the blaze.

The cause of the fire is inconclusive.

Fire fighters, including members of Essex’s Urban Search and Rescue Team, remained at the cottage for much of yesterday to ensure they had thoroughly checked the property.

A spokesman for Suffolk County Fire and Rescue Service, which was leading the investigation, said the search had concluded by the late afternoon.

He added: “We have carried out an investigation and found no-one in the property.”

The Grade II listed cottage is owned by Ros Bennett who lived there for 12 years until 1989 when she moved to Kent. She has rented the property out since.

Mrs Bennett said she heard about the fire on Sunday evening from a village friend.

She added: “We had quite a nice day until the evening.”

Mrs Bennett and her husband arrived at the property yesterday lunchtime. She said the cottage, dating back to the 1700s, had been rented to the same man for several years.

“He has been a long term and good tenant. He is almost as gutted as the house is. It is not pleasant circumstances for him.”

The man, named locally as Stuart Barlegs, was not in the property at the time.

He was at the scene yesterday but Mrs Bennett said it would be inappropriate for him to comment.

Mrs Bennett added: “I took this house on when it was in state as it is now.

“I rebuilt the roof with my own hands so it doesn’t appall me as much as you would think.

“I hope it could be restored. It used to be the village lock-up - that would have been in John Constable’s time.”

Four fire engines and an aerial platform were used at the incident at the height of the blaze.

Fire crews from Colchester, Manningtree, Nayland, Ipswich and Hadleigh had been sent to the scene.

The blaze was out by 5am on Sunday.