MORE than 40 firefighters battled to save a thatched cottage in Arley after its roof caught fire.

Eight fire engines from across Cheshire worked to contain the blaze, which was reported at 7.20pm on Thursday.

Crews initially used breathing apparatus to fight the flames but were withdrawn because of fears about part of the roof of the two-storey house, in Budworth Road.

Gas and electric to the property were isolated and they tackled the fire from the outside using ladders and hose reels.

The fire was contained by 10.15pm and firefighters worked to save one wing of the house and salvage property from the ground floor.

Water supplies were boosted by using a nearby pond.

A fire engine was still at the scene today, Friday, to continue damping down and a thermal imaging camera is being used to check for hotspots.