A YOUNG family lost everything when fire tore through the Grade 2 Listed thatched cottage they had almost finished renovating.

Sarah and Stephen Heather escaped unharmed with their three young boys when fire broke out in the roof of Lydeard Down Cottage on the outskirts of Lydeard St Lawrence just after 1am on Wednesday morning.

The couple bought the traditional Somerset longhouse last year and had only moved in before Christmas from their previous home in West Bagborough.

The Heathers were just nearing the end of an extensive renovation to create their dream home - the walls of the historic cottage were still being rendered just hours before the blaze started.

A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said an electrical fault was believed to have caused the fire.

At its height, more than 60 firefighters were called to the cottage and a relay of water carriers was used to help tackle the flames.

Initially, eight crews from Wiveliscombe, Williton, Wellington and Taunton were mobilised and were joined by specialist appliances from Bridgwater, Wiveliscombe and Taunton.

By 3.15am, 90 per cent of the thatched roof had collapsed and back-up appliances were called in from Bridgwater, together with water carriers from Exeter and Yeovil.

Firefighters used foam jets, hose reel jets and breathing apparatus to fight the fire and were still on the scene damping down hotspots some six hours after the blaze started.

The spokesman added: "The roof of the property was 100 per cent destroyed by the fire, 70 per cent of the remainder of the property was destroyed by fire and 20 per cent by heat, smoke and water.

"Smoke detectors were fitted and did activate. Three children and two adults left the property prior to the arrival of the fire service and have been taken by the fire and emergency support services unit to relatives who lived nearby."

The family is believed to be staying with Mrs Heather's mother in the Bishops Lydeard area.

Neighbour Frances Krall who runs Little Downs Cattery said the cottage had been completely destroyed but everyone was just thankful the family escaped unharmed.

She said: "It's absolutely dreadful, They have spent a fortune renovating it and only moved in just before Christmas, even though it wasn't quite finished.

"They were still putting another layer of render on it this week. It was looking so beautiful."

Mrs Krall and her husband Jack were woken by their dogs barking and looked out to see the cottage roof ablaze.

"The flames were just shooting straight up. There wasn't much noise as there was no wind to fan it.

"My husband went out to speak to them while they were sat in the ambulance.

"The husband was in a state of shock, she was in tears but the boys were quite excited as they were too young to really understand what was happening," Mrs Krall said.

She said firefighters were on the scene extremely quickly but there was nothing anyone could do to save the cottage.

Mr and Mrs Heather secured planning permission last February to carry out internal and external works at Lydeard Down to create their ideal four-bedroom family home.

The works included an extension to an existing lean-to, replacing a 1950s garage and putting down a new flagstone floor.

Photos: Steve Guscott