Over 20 firefighters from seven fire stations tackle fire at a thatched cottage in the Harborough district

Over 20 firefighters from seven fire stations raced to tackle a chimney fire at a thatched cottage in a village near Lutterworth at the weekend.

Crews from Lutterworth and Kibworth as well as throughout the area dashed to deal with the incident at the traditional cottage on Main Street, Peatling Parva, on Saturday evening.

The chimney fire was actually put out by the residents as they called 999 to raise the alarm, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said.

Fire engines from Lutterworth, Kibworth, Wigston, Southern station in Leicester, a water carrier from Loughborough, a tactical response vehicle from Lutterworth, a command support vehicle from Shepshed and an aerial ladder from Leicester’s Central station all attended.

Fire crews quickly removed a patch of the thatched roof amid fears that the blaze would spread and destroy the highly-vulnerable material.

“Fire crews sheeted down area of roof where the thatch was removed,” said the fire service.

Firefighters returned to inspect the property at 9am yesterday morning (Sunday) just to make sure that it was safe.

No one was injured in the drama.