TWO families have been left homeless after fire destroyed their thatched homes in Netherton last night.

More than 120 firefighters from across Devon worked through the night to save Brook Cottages after the alarm was raised by a neighbour just before 5.30pm yesterday.

Crews were able to rescue most of the contents from the properties with help from the occupiers.

Ten pumps crowded the narrow lanes around the village as frantic efforts were made to the save the historic buildings.

The fire was finally extinguished some 12 hours after the alarm was raised.

Fire chiefs say it’s too early to say what caused the blaze, which is not being treated as suspicious.

It’s understood one possible source may have been the porch area at the front of one of the cottages.

A fire spokesman said both homes could be rebuilt - but it would take some time.

No one was hurt in the drama.

Fifteen fire crews - most of them retained - were drafted in to help tackle the incident.

James O’Brien, owner of the properties, said: ‘Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue have been outstanding.

‘They were here very fast. They worked from yesterday right through the night.

‘I can’t fault them.

‘Fortunately there wasn’t anyone in the properties at the time.’