Blaze damages one of oldest homes in Essex (From Gazette)

Blaze damages one of oldest homes in Essex

3:00pm Monday 13th February 2012 in News By Caroline Tilley

FIRE broke out in a 760-year-old cottage, destroying part of its thatched roof.

The blaze started in the chimney of Songers, in Cage Lane, Boxted, on Saturday evening.

Four fire engines were called to the grade I listed building, which is the village’s oldest house, at about 5.10pm.

Songers, one of the oldest known homes in Essex, was built around 1250.

Tim Brentnall, chairman of Boxted Parish Council, said: “It’s a pretty miserable situation.

“Songers is a very important part of Boxted’s history. Residents will be very happy to know it hasn’t been more badly burned.

“Our cottage is the second oldest in the village and we had a fire here about 25 years ago. Our roof needed to be re-thatched.

“The fire brigade was excellent. It sounds as though they managed to put it out before the fire spread to the timbers.

“If that happens, then you have had it.”

Part of the thatched roof closest to the chimney has been destroyed.

The blaze was put out at 7.30pm, although crews stayed on the scene to check for hot spots.

It is not known what caused the blaze at the property, which has been up for sale for the past month.