A man who tried to stop fire destroying his thatched cottage roof is in hospital.

Eastern Daily Press: Fire engines outside the cottage on The Street in Halvergate which was damaged by fire on New Year's Day 2020. Picture: Sophie WyllieFire engines outside the cottage on The Street in Halvergate which was damaged by fire on New Year's Day 2020. Picture: Sophie Wyllie (Image: Sophie Wyllie)

The blaze at the old cottage on The Street in Halvergate, between Acle and Great Yarmouth, broke out just after 8.30pm on New Year's Day.

Six fire crews including Yarmouth, Gorleston, Martham and Stalham, as well as the water carrier from Hethersett, were called to the fire in the small village which ripped through the cottage roof and caused the building's gable end to fall in.

Luke Hancock, station manager for the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service southern district, said the owner of the cottage called 999 and was trying to put the flames out when firefighters arrived.

He was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation by paramedics from the East of England Ambulance Service Trust, according to Mr Hancock.

No other emergency services were called.

The station manager added no-one else was in the cottage at the time, apart from the owner and his dog.

Mr Hancock said fire investigators would be on the scene but the fire was being treated as accidental.

At around midnight, two crews, from Gorleston and Martham, were damping down the fire and crews are expected to remain at the cottage until the morning.

The road is closed while firefighters remain at the scene.

An ambulance service spokesman said: "We were called yesterday (January 1) at 8.57pm with reports of possible burns linked to a fire on The Street, Halvergate. We sent an ambulance officer and two ambulance crews. Two patients were assessed on scene and transported to the James Paget University Hospital for further treatment."