Two cottages in a village near Stafford were virtually destroyed in a severe fire in the early hours of today.

Firefighters were called to a pair of semi-detached cottages on the main A5013 Eccleshall Road, in Great Bridgeford, shortly after 12.30am when a passing motorist spotted flames coming from the roof of one of the thatched cottages.

The unoccupied properties, near Worston Lane, are now in danger of collapse and may have to be demolished. At its height there were approximately 33 firefighters tackling the blaze which engulfed both buildings and forced the main road to be closed.

The road re-opened to traffic at 9.30am today.

Station Commander Rob Barber from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “The first appliances to arrive were faced with a rapidly developing thatched roof fire in a pair of semi detached cottages.

“Water supplies in the area were limited, initially hampering efforts to bring the fire under control, but the prompt arrival of the water carrier from Cannock and utilisation of a nearby pond quickly alleviated the problem.”

Two pumping appliances attended from Stafford, one from Stone and one from Gnosall.

Other specialist appliances mobilised from across the county to tackle the fire included an ariel ladder platform, water carrier, a damage limitation unit, a high volume water pump and a control unit.

As the fire developed the ariel ladder platform was used to attack the flames from above and Staffordshire Police was forced to close the road.

Firefighters also used fire retardant foam in a bid to stop the fire from spreading to nearby buildings.

The cause of the blaze is believed to be accidental but a full fire investigation was being carried out today. Both properties were unoccupied at the time. There were no casualties but the buildings were left severely damaged. They will be inspected by a structural engineer later today.

Neil Burton, fire investigator, who was at the scene of the fire today said: “The buildings have been severely damaged and they are structurally unsafe.

“The gable ends are unsupported and leaning out so they could collapse. There is also an unsupported chimney which might collapse too.”

He added: “The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental but that is not yet confirmed.”

Firefighters were still at the scene this morning damping down the buildings to prevent any further fires starting.