FIREFIGHTERS who fought a massive fire at an historic Hampshire country cottage were today carrying out regular checks of hot spots by using thermal imaging equipment.

Fire crews were drawn from across the county to tackle the blaze at the 300-year-old semi-detached cottage in High Street, East Meon, just after 4pm yesterday.

A total of 27 appliances and support vehicles, including an all night watching brief, were involved in the incident.

And at one stage 105 firefighters and support personnel tackled the blaze which could be seen for miles around.

About 45 breathing sets were used during the blaze to remove the thatch, damp down the property and carry out vital salvage duties.

It is believed that the fire started in the chimney stack and firefighters created a break in the thatch to prevent it spreading to the neighbouring cottage.

Today relief crews were on standby to make sure that the fire did not flare up again at the grade 2 listed thatched cottage which is described one of Hampshire's historic treasures.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service's group manager Brian Neat has praised the initial crews and the local community.

He said: "The combined initial efforts enabled us to preserve the structure of such an important building as well as successfully being able to contain the fire."

The alarm was raised by the owners of the property who were able to get out of the blazing building in plenty of time and along with their two cats are currently staying with friends.

Meanwhile Hampshire Fire and Rescue has reinforced its warnings to owners of thatch properties - Fit smoke detectors in roof spaces which are linked to others in the property.

Have a hose reel on the property which is long enough to reach all parts of the thatch roof.

If you have any light fittings in close proximity to the thatch then ensure they are of the enclosed type.

Outside security lighting can get very hot and should be sited well away from the thatch.