The Norfolk Town Was Set Alight After A Bush Fire In A Nearby Farmer's Field Spread To Homes And Businesses

Families across Ashill, Norfolk, are now homeless and/or jobless after a fire from a farmer's field spread to nearby homes and local businesses.

Around 20 homes in the town have been burnt to the ground or badly damaged by the fire, according to local fire services.

The Horn family has lived in the area for nearly six generations, but now their home is in ruins.

John Horn, his wife Donna, and two daughters Sophie and Katie were forced to abandon their family home when the fire spread.

John recalled the experience saying that: "When the house started to envelop in smoke, I told my wife to gather our valuables and for Sophie and Katie to save our pet hamster and guinea pig.

We rushed outside to see our house which had been in the family for over 100 years burn down, it was heart breaking.

As we looked on we saw that Ashill was just black smoke, with fires raging seemingly everywhere.

Our home insurance will cover rebuilding the house and the items lost in the fire, but it wont ever be the same".

Another resident named Eleanor Taylor told how two thirds of her home was lost to the fire, stating: "It was incredibly quick, I didn't have much time to think.

I just took what I could and got out of there".

Her daughter Kerry Taylor had lost her childminding business as a result of the fire, saying that: "I've just lost my business of 22 years, the whole property is gone.

We lost the toys, equipment, resources, it's all gone!

I've been left with nothing".

The fire caused by the ongoing heatwave, though extinguished, has left an everlasting mark on Ashill and those who reside there.