21 April 2006
Owners of thatched cottages have been warned to protect their properties against fire as the dry weather conditions increase the risk.
Council leaders issued the warning after the thatched cottage home of film director Ken Russell went up in flames earlier this month. Fire risks are also aggravated by the growing popularity of efficient fuel burning stoves, which operate throughout the night.
Caroline Seymour, deputy chair of the Local Government Association's safer communities board, said: 'Thatched cottages are an important part of our country's heritage, and councils and fire services are determined to do all they can to help preserve this very beautiful feature of our country landscape.'
Councils are advising residents to fit thermometers in the thatch surrounding their property's chimney breast to monitor its temperature.
In Suffolk, the number of thatch fires has more than doubled in the past two years. Gary Phillips, assistant fire chief at Suffolk County Council, said the authority had been talking to people who live in thatched properties to get them to guard against the risks.
'We have staged a series of successful seminars, where we have spoken to hundreds of people about fire prevention specifically aimed at thatch fires.
'This has been an excellent opportunity for us to offer tailored advice on the best measures that can be put in place to reduce the risk for themselves and their property.'
PFapr2006
