UPDATE: Storm caused fire which ripped through Petworth cottage

The fire at Burton Mill Farm Cottage, Petworth PICTURE BY EDDIE MITCHELL

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters were called to Burton Mill Farm in Burton Park Road at 11.40pm on Friday night (June 12).

The occupants managed to escape the building before emergency services arrived.

See a video of the fire here Petworth fire

Crews from Midhurst, Chichester and Billingshurst were on the scene until 1.25am and Midhurst station manager Nigel Gamblen was in charge of the incident.

He said 80 per cent of the roof and 50 per cent of the ground floor was damaged by the blaze.

“The fire started in a lean-to at the rear of the building,” said Nigel. “It was caused by rain entering an electrical point during the severe storm that evening.

“It spread from there onto the roof of the property.

“Our teams worked very hard under difficult conditions.”

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