A FIRE that wrecked a thatched cottage in the New Forest was caused by a spark ricocheting off a bird-guard on the chimney.

About 100 firefighters tackled the blaze, which caused tens of thousands of pounds' worth of damage and was one of the biggest in the Forest for several years.

Flames ripped through the oldest part of Jervis Cottage in Romsey Road, Lyndhurst, on Friday night.

Owner John Edwards said: "We've got a wood-burning stove in the lounge and firefighters think a spark ricocheted off a bird-guard on top of the chimney and set fire to the thatch.

"The blaze broke out in a section of the house that dates from 1600.

"I tried to control it with a hose until the fire service arrived and then concentrated on getting everything out of the house. By that that time it was quite a major blaze.

"We won't know the cost of the damage until the loss adjuster comes today, but it's got to be tens of thousands of pounds.

"Repairs will take at least three months."

Divisional officer Graham Reeve, who led the firefighting operation, said: "It was certainly one of the biggest fires we've had in Lyndhurst in a long time.

"Our crews cut through the thatch to make a fire break to try to stop it spreading."

The alarm was raised by neighbour John Buckmaster, 26.

His father Ted said: "My son saw flames coming from the side of the chimney.

"He phoned the fire brigade and knocked on the door of Jervis Cottage to let them know."

Eyewitness Bernadette Scotting, 50, who works at Premier News and Post Office in Lyndhurst, said: "It's such a shame because its one of the older houses in the village."

A neighbour said: "It was shocking how quickly the fire took told."

Jervis Cottage is occasionally used as a bed and breakfast establishment, but no one was staying there when the blaze broke out.