A historic thatched cottage in Hale has been destroyed by a large fire that broke out on Tuesday night. Firefighters from 12 stations responded to the 1930s property on Hale Road at 10:30 PM, with the blaze spreading from the adjoining garage.
Firefighters Battle Blaze
The house, which was unoccupied at the time, was left gutted. The road was closed overnight, and fire crews and police remained on the scene throughout Wednesday. Crews from Penketh, Frodsham, Winsford, Middlewich, Malpas, Knutsford, Northwich, Tarporley, Congleton, Birchwood, Runcorn, and Macclesfield attended, along with two engines from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and a command unit from Northwich.
Firefighters in breathing apparatus used two hose reel jets and two main jets to tackle the fire. Thermal imaging cameras checked for hotspots, and crews removed burning straw to prevent further spread.
Police Appeal for Witnesses
The cause is under investigation. One resident told the ECHO that police had been going door-to-door asking for CCTV footage. Detective Sergeant Chris Sheffield said: “Thankfully no one was in the property at the time, and no one was injured, but the detached thatched property was destroyed.” He added: “We’re keen to speak to anyone who was travelling along Hale Road between 10pm and 11pm last night who may have seen suspicious activity or anything that didn’t seem quite right. The same goes for anyone with any information on the incident.”
Residents' Concerns
Linda Brown, a resident in a nearby thatched property, recalled: “I was alerted to it at about 10pm. I was in the bath when I heard the fire engines going, but I could smell something burning.” She noted that the fire service said the blaze started with a car in the garage. Another resident described the event as “dramatic,” saying, “The whole roof had gone up. It was awful.”
Linda expressed ongoing worries about living in a thatched home: “I'm always on high alert. I'm always worried. It's a nightmare. First of all they're practically unmortgageable, and secondly the insurance on them is hugely expensive and there's lots of caveats you have to conform to.”
Anyone with information should contact Cheshire Police on 101 or via the website quoting IML 2389031, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
