Eight crews from Cambridgeshire and Suffolk at scene of thatched homes blaze at Witchford near Ely

Eight crews from across Cambs and also from Newmarket at scene of Witchford homes fire. (Image: Archant)

The alert was raised at 9pm when fire broke out in the roof of one of the properties. The extent of the damage is not known but all occupants were out of the houses when emergency services arrived.

First photo of Witchford fire and taken by local resident. (Image: Archant)

A Cambs fire spokesman said: 'Crews are currently at a thatch fire in Witchford, East Cambs - firefighters working hard to extinguish'.

A local resident took this photo of the thatched cottage fire at Witchford (Image: Archant)

Fire fighters from across the county – and from Suffolk too- have been called to help extinguish the blaze.

Two crews from Cambridge, one crew from Ely, one crew from Littleport, one crew from Chatteris, one crew from Soham and two crews from Newmarket are at the scene.

There is also a turntable ladder from Cambridge, a water carrier from Yaxley near Peterborough and an incident command unit from Huntingdon.

Moments ago the spokesman said: 'Firefighters are using jets and hose reels to extinguish the fire and are cutting away at the roof. Crews are still working at the scene.'

UPDATE: At 11.43pm the fire service tweeted that 'crews have extinguished the thatch fire and will now be scaling back'.

They added: 'Thanks for messages of support'.