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Last winter was one of the worst on record for thatch fires across East Anglia so the region's fire services have joined together to launch a regional campaign promoting fire safety in thatched properties.
The Norfolk campaign launch takes place in Long Stratton at 11am on Wednesday (October 25).
Graham Joy, from Norfolk County Council's fire and rescue service, said: "Last year was a particularly bad year for thatched property fires in Norfolk. The emotional and financial cost of a thatch fire can be particularly high and we are determined to try and work with owners to prevent fires from happening.
Together with our colleagues across the region we have published a practical guide which we hope will help reduce fires in these types of properties as we continue working to make Norfolk safer."
In Norfolk in 2004-05 there were:
*4 chimney fires in thatched properties (thatch not involved)
*2 thatch fires
*3 incidents over the border we assisted with which were thatch fires
In 2005-06 the figures rose to:
*6 chimney fires in thatched properties (thatch not involved)
*7 thatch fires
*5 incidents over the border we assisted with which were thatch fires.
The new guide, called the Thatched Property Safety Guide, will be distributed to as many thatched properties in Norfolk as possible over the coming weeks.
BBC Look East presenter, Amelia Reynolds, whose family home is a thatched cottage in Suffolk, is backing the regional campaign.
Amelia said, “Living in a thatched property is a wonderful experience. There is something very special about thatched properties, whether it is a house, a pub or even a church.”
She continued, “Fire safety should be a top priority for everyone, but even more so for people living in thatched properties. I am very pleased to support this new initiative.”
Mark Sanderson, who chairs the regional fire safety officers' group, said “Promoting fire safety is a top priority for fire services across the region. Working together has given us an opportunity to pool valuable resources to ensure we get these important messages out to the public”.
If you live in a thatched property you can call 0800 917 8137 for your copy of the Thatched Property Safety Guide or download it by clicking on the picture to the right.
For further information please contact:
Martin Barsby, Communications Officer, Norfolk County Council Fire Service
Tel: 01603 819759
Email : martin.barsby@fire.norfolk.gov.uk
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