TWELVE fire crews battled throughout the night last night (Sunday) to save two Crowcombe cottages after their thatched roofs had accidentally caught fire.

The road was closed and neighbours were advised to keep windows and doors shut to keep out smoke and fumes as crews from as far away as Ilminster fought the blaze which destroyed 75 per cent of the thatch and took 12 hours to control.

Eight fire engines from Williton, Nether Stowey, Wiveliscombe Wellington, Taunton and Bridgwater were called to the blaze at Mark Herniman Hill, Crowcombe, at 8pm on Sunday.

A Devon and Somerset fire service spokesman said the thatch was well alight when fire crews arrived. At 10pm the officer in charge called for more back-up and equipment from Bridgwater and Minehead was sent to the incident.

Operations were scaled down to six pumps at midnight and further reduced to three pumps at 5am before the operation was completed at 8am.

The fire service spokesman added that the blaze caused 75 per cent damage to the thatch, 50 per cent fire and water damage to the first floor and 25 per cent damage to the ground floor.

However, firefighters were able to salvage 90 per cent of the contents of the properties.