Fire guts ‘beautiful’ Grade I-listed 11th century church after ‘a spark during repairs sets its thatched roof alight’
- Beachamwell church in Norfolk went up in flames during reparation work
- Locals said a welding spark ignited the thatched roof, causing the huge fire
- Six fire engines were dispatched and the blaze in now ‘under control’
A fire has ripped through a beautiful 11th century in Norfolk, completely destroying the thatched roof of the Grade-I listed building.
The blaze was started after a spark from welding work ignited the thatch in Beachamwell, local reports say.
Six fire engines were sent to tackle the blaze which is now ‘under control’.
A fire has ripped through a beautiful 11th century in Norfolk, completely destroying the thatched roof of the Grade-I listed building
The blaze was started after a spark from welding work ignited the thatch in Beachamwell
Six fire engines were sent to tackle the blaze which is now ‘under control’, a spokesman said
‘We will have a presence on scene for the rest of the day at least’, the spokesperson added.
John Sanderson, an 87-year-old man who lives in the village, said that residents were ‘devastated’.
‘All the roof is gone. I think just the walls are left’, he added.
‘I just came back from the supermarket and saw police cars tearing down the road. When I got back I was told the church was on fire,’ Mr Sanderson said.
Historic England, a public body, said it is ‘saddened’ by the news, adding that the building is ‘a rare surviving example of a medieval, thatched-roofed church’.
Flames ripped through the church and black plumes of smoke were sent billowing into the surrounding area
John Sanderson, an 87-year-old man who lives in the village, told the PA news agency that residents were ‘devastated’
Historic England, a public body, said it is ‘saddened’ by the news, adding that the building is ‘a rare surviving example of a medieval, thatched-roofed church’
It is understood the church was closed for repairs at the time the fire broke out today
The fire service later said they were ‘scaling down’ their response, and thanked residents for their patience
Structural engineers were also sent to the church to assess the church tower and its two bells, which each weigh a tonne
‘We are liaising with the church and local authority and will look to support them,’ it added.
It is understood the church was closed for repairs at the time of the fire.
The fire service later said they were ‘scaling down’ their response, and thanked residents for their patience.
Terry Pinto, group manager of Norfolk Fire and Rescue, told the Eastern Daily Press: ‘It was a devastating fire for the community.
‘Unfortunately, when we arrived, the roof was fully involved in fire and it had already spread to the main building of the church so it was all about damage limitation and trying to stop the impact on the wider community and environment.
]#’;An unnamed worker said he and two others had been working on the roof before the blaze, and said it was rotten
The church’s round tower is believed to be one of the oldest in Norfolk and is the only remaining of four that used to serve the area
‘Lots and lots of irreplaceable items unfortunately will be lost through the fire which is a real shame.’
Structural engineers were also sent to the church to assess the church tower and its two bells, which each weigh a tonne.
An unnamed worker said he and two others had been working on the roof before the blaze, and said it was rotten.
The church’s round tower is believed to be one of the oldest in Norfolk and is the only remaining of four that used to serve the area.
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