Northam thatched house destroyed by fire

FIREFIGHTERS from Bideford, Appledore and Torrington were called to an outbreak in a thatched house in Bay View Road, Northam, early this afternoon (Friday). No-one was injured, but there was little left of the property, which was already partly demolishe

FIREFIGHTERS from Bideford, Appledore and Torrington were called to an outbreak in a thatched house in Bay View Road, Northam, early this afternoon (Friday).

No-one was injured, but there was little left of the property, which was already partly demolished.

Owners John and Helen Stevenson, were in the process of taking down the 1930s house to make way for a larger home on the site for their young family and they and Helen's father John Clarke were working in the rear garden when they noticed the roof alight.

No official cause has yet been given, but it is thought that a spark from a garden fire may have been blown by the wind on to a small section of thatch then remaining on the roof.