FORMER Army officer Simon Hall has spoken of the moment that he realised his much loved thatched home could not be saved from destruction despite huge efforts by the fire service.

Mr Hall, 52, was woken by a neighbour at 6.30am on Sunday after the man walking his dog spotted smoke coming from his cottage in The Street, Chirton.

He said: "When I heard the banging I thought it was a burglar and then I realised it was my neighbour trying to warn me. The fire service was fantastic and got here very quickly but I realised they were not going to be able to save the house.

"They offered to get possessions and asked what was important. I told them to bother with beds or wardrobes but to concentrate on photographs and other things that can't be replaced. They were amazing."

He also praised the Red Cross who helped him with practical matters and villagers who set up a drink and food station in the village school to support the fire fighters.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

Bridget and Simon Hall at their house in Chirton. Picture by Diane Vose

His barrister wife Bridget was away in the Cayman Islands on business and he had to ring her to tell her the terrible news. He said: "I couldn't put it off as I was worried she would see it on the internet or social media.

"I just had to come out with it and tell her there was terrible news. There was a lot of sobbing. It was very hard for her as she was such a long way away."

The couple had just finished having building work done in the house and just days earlier had been enjoying the improvements. Mr Hall said: "We were admiring how good it looked. The building work was finished but we still had thatching going on.

"But we plan to rebuild and hope to have a big party for everyone from the village and others who helped us sometime in 2018."

Mr Hall managed to get their three dogs out of the house and they are now staying with friends.

Mr Hall said: "Everyone has been wonderful offering us places to stay but we are now looking for a place to rent while the work is carried out."

He said that his bid to cope with practical matters on Sunday such as contacting his insurance company and utility firms was made worse by a strange response from BT.

He said: "I told them my house had burnt down but they said they could not cancel the contract unless I paid between £1,000 and £2,000. I put in a complaint but I am yet to hear anything back."

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service area Manager Ian Jeary said: “This was a severe fire that destroyed the roof and caused significant damage to the rest of this detached property. As well as stripping thatch from the roof and fighting the fire, our crews were able to salvage much of the owner’s possessions.

"We would like to thank the local community, who showed us so much support, even when we effectively closed the village. In particular, we are very grateful for those people who provided us with food and drink throughout the day.”

Crews attended from Devizes, Pewsey, Melksham, Calne, Marlborough, Trowbridge, Salisbury, Corsham, Swindon, Bradford on Avon and Chippenham.