Firefighters who tackled a blaze which ripped through two cottages near Hitchin during the early hours of yesterday morning are continuing their investigations this morning – amid fears one person may have been killed.
Eight crews – including two from both Hitchin and Stevenage, and one from Baldock – were called at about 6.10am yesterday after a fire broke out at Offley Holes Farm Cottages, situated on the road between Preston and Charlton.
The blaze started in one of the cottages – where one person remains unaccounted for – before spreading to a neighbouring property with a family of four inside.
The two adults and children were able to get out of the cottage with the help of firefighters, and did not require hospital treatment.
A spokesman for the fire service said: “We cannot yet confirm whether or not there is a fatality. The fire investigation was prohibited yesterday due to structural concerns with the building, but the investigation can be concluded today.”
A further update is expected this afternoon, with police also on the scene.
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