A SPARK from a chimney is believed to have started a fire that severely damaged a thatched cottage at Rodhuish Cross in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Firefighters from across Somerset and Devon were called out just before 1am, with crews from Williton, Minehead, Nether Stowey, Wiveliscombe, Porlock and Taunton among the first on the scene.

The thatch was already well alight and they got to work with breathing apparatus, a main jet, foam and a specialist thatching lance.

Firefighters were able to help homeowners June Gregory and Clare Oldham salvage some property from the cottage in the initial stages, but not everything could be saved.

The pair, both therapists, are believed to have lived in the property for about the last two years.

Ms Gregory, a McTimony chiropractor, and Ms Oldham, a Bowen technique practitioner, run their businesses from Bicknoller.

They are understood to be living in a mobile home following the blaze.

Later investigations by firefighters revealed one end wall of the ten by ten metres, two-storey home had become structurally unsafe as a result of the fire.

A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesman confirmed the blaze was caused by sparks from a chimney setting the thatch alight.

At its peak a dozen firefighters donned breathing apparatus to tackle the flames using two foam jets, two main jets and four hose reel jets.

They were still fighting the fire some five hours after the initial call-out and only left the scene just before 2.30pm on Sunday afternoon.

Crews from Dulverton, Taunton, Bridgwater, Wellington, Tiverton and Bampton, a water carrier from Bridgwater and an incident command unit from Wiveliscombe, were also involved.

The Red Cross fire and emergency support unit provided on-site support for the homeowners.

A fire and rescue service spokesman said: "The fire was caused by sparks from the chimney which caught the thatch.

"The property suffered severe fire damage and one end was deemed structurally unstable.

"However, crews managed to salvage items of value from the property in the initial stages of the incident.

"The Red Cross fire and emergency support unit was mobilised and arrived on scene at 2.37am to provide assistance, support and welfare to the property owners."

Photo: Steve Guscott.