Historic cottages in Aston End are ablaze after fire caught in a thatched roof.
The crews of 10 fire engines from across Herts were alerted shortly after 3.30pm to the scene on Long Lane and are tackling the blaze which has taken hold in a pair of semi-detached timber-framed buildings.
The owner of the cottages, who was outside in the road as firemen attempted to douse the flames with jets and pulled out furniture in an attempt to salvage belongings, was unhurt. He said no-one else had been injured in the fire.
The fire crews were apparently running out of water at around 4.30pm, as a police officer asked if there were any other water sources such as swimming pools in the area.
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