FIRE crews were called out to a blaze at a thatched cottage in South Marston yesterday afternoon.

Eight crews from Swindon, Stratton, Westlea, Cricklade, Malmesbury, Chippenham Faringdon went to Thornhill Road at 4pm.

At this stage it is not known how the blaze started but a spokeswoman for Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said it was protocol to send a high number of engines.

She said: “They basically have to strip the roof, which is a very labour intensive job.

“The crews are likely to be there for hours – even well into the morning.”

A neighbour on Thornhill Road said: “The roof was blazing away and the roads are closed – meaning the village is essentially shut.

“You can smell the smoke a long way away.

“There are a number of appliances there and it looks like they will be here a long time.

“It is the only thatched property here.”