A family of four had to flee after their 14th century thatched cottage caught fire.

The cottage, in Church Road, Gestingthorpe, which belongs to Michael and Anne-Marie Garrett, caught fire at about 10.30pm last night.

Mrs Garrett said: "We heard a noise in the loft, a bang, which apparently was the chimney stack falling apart.

Firefighters clearing up after the fire at the cottage in Gesingthorpe

"We smelt the smoke and we saw light coming through the bedroom ceiling. We grabbed the cat and the children and got out. Then called 999."

The couple have two children Melissa, seven, and Alex, ten, who attend St Margaret's Primary School, Gosfield.

The children are today staying at their grandparents' home.

The first fire crew to arrive at the blaze was the Sible Hedingham crew.

Mrs Garrett said: "They were absolutely brilliant. At one point we didn't think we would have a house left but they protected what they could.

"They got as much out as possible. They were filling black bags full of clothes and taking them out to the garage. They were marvellous. I can't thank them enough."

Firefighters from Halstead, Sible Hedingham and Sudbury managed to put out the fire but the thatched roof of the cottage was damaged and the rest of the house was swamped with water.

Fire investigators are looking into the cause of the blaze. They believe it may have been caused by a spark from the wood-burning fire.

Published Friday, March 8, 2002