80 Firefighters Tackle Canterbury Fire

It's after a fire broke out a house with a thatched roof on Denton Lane at 11am.

Extra resources have been sent to the scene to prevent the blaze from spreading to the rest of the building.
 
The alarm was raised by the owners of the property, who were able to get out of the building unharmed.
 
A total 11 fire engines, a height vehicle, a water unit plus support vehicles are tackling the fire. Members of Urban Search and Rescue team, who are trained to use heavy duty cutters, shoring and lifting equipment as well as chainsaws, have also been called to the scene to break up the thatch.
 
Crews quickly set about tackling the blaze, forming fire breaks by cutting into the roof to prevent the fire spreading, while firefighters in breathing apparatus entered the building and covered the contents in protective sheeting. Furniture and property is currently being removed to save it from fire damage.
 
Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s Area Manager for East Kent Andy Merriman said: "Fires in thatched properties are renowned for spreading rapidly and can be very difficult to save, however fire crews have worked tremendously hard. The combined initial efforts enabled us to prevent the fire from spreading to an adjoining wing as well as successfully being able to contain the fire to the roof and second floor.”
 
Firefighters will be working in to this evening and possibly throughout the night, cutting away and damping down, to ensure the fire is fully extinguished.
 
The cause of the fire is not yet known.