<b.A FAMILY from the New Forest escaped a major bank holiday blaze which left the top-floor of their home a burned-out shell.

The family from Brockenhurst were at home when the thatched roof of their two-storey house caught alight yesterday lunchtime.

The resulting fire was so severe that firefighters were forced to tackle it with emergency supplies of water from the house's own swimming pool. Units from across Hampshire raced to South Weirs after a midday call alerted them to a major roof fire at the property known as Barnfield.

The family were safely evacuated within moments of fire teams arriving on the scene.

Ten fire appliances and various special equipment units spent several hours fighting the blaze as it spread downwards to the upper storey of the detached house.

Two water carrying units supported firefighters using breathing apparatus on scene but as the fire - which sent out billows of black smoke visible around the Forest - raged on water had to be used from the pool.

Six high-powered jets were concentrated on the burning building.

Although the top floor was burned out, firefighters were able to salvage much of the family's property and there were no casualities.

Chief fire officer on the scene Malcolm Eastwood said: "The men carried out their job extremely well in what were very difficult conditions.

"The problem with thatched roof fires is that any water you put on tends to run down the sides as that's what they are designed to do. The fire then drops down from the roof into the house.

"Everyone on the scene worked very hard to contain it."

Fire investigators have yet to ascertain the cause of the blaze.

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