A THATCHED cottage was engulfed in flames in a devastating fire.

Firefighters from Bromsgrove helped battled the blaze, in Broughton Green, near Droitwich, throughout Thursday night.

Nine crews and two water carriers attended the fire, which destroyed the building's roof and most of the first floor.

Area Commander Mark Preece, of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This is a timely reminder for people to check faulty electrical appliances, take particular care with log burners, and ensure Christmas lights and candles are never left unattended, to reduce the number of house fire tragedies over the holiday season.”

Fire crews from across Worcestershire, Herefordshire and the West Midlands attended the blaze.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the scene at just after 9.30pm and a paramedic officer assessed a woman, believed to be a resident at the cottage, although she did not require hospital treatment.

Much of the thatch roof and first floor of the property was alight when firefighters arrived.

However, the crews managed to stop the fire spreading by using hoses, compressed air foam and cutting away some of the thatch roof.

Firefighters were still dampening down the property at noon today.

The Highways Agency was also called to grit the surrounding roads as some of the water from the firefighting operation had started to freeze on nearby surfaces.