Basingstoke Thatched Fire
Firefighters have now completed final checks at the scene of a significant thatched roof fire on Viables Lane, Basingstoke. No hotspots were identified during the last inspection at 14:00 on Thursday 19 March, and the incident is now fully closed.
Crews were first called to the scene on 17 March, with over 60 firefighters from across the area responding. At the height of the fire, teams used multiple jets, Compressed Air Foam (CAFS), and an aerial ladder platform to tackle the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby properties. Despite their efforts, the property was 100% damaged by the fire.
Overnight and into the following day, the response was gradually scaled down, with crews remaining on site to damp down and monitor for hotspots. Further follow-up inspections were carried out on 18 and 19 March to ensure the area was safe.
In addition to firefighting operations, crews also carried out community safety work in the surrounding area, including several Home Fire Safety Visits.
Thank you to the local community for your patience, cooperation, and support throughout this incident.
Check out our Thatched Living page for guidance on how to keep your thatched home safe from fire.
LIVE FEED IS NOW CLOSED
18/03/2026 at 17:00:
We are currently tackling a thatched roof fire on Viables Lane in Basingstoke. Locals are being advised to avoid the area where possible, as a large number of emergency service vehicles are attending the scene. Over 60 firefighters are on scene tackling the blaze, using Compressed Air Foam (CAFS) and jets to extinguish the flames and prevent further fire spread.
Update on 18/03/2026 at 10:00:
We have scaled down our response to one fire engine and one aerial ladder platform. We will remain onsite throughout the morning damping down and dealing with any hotspots.
Update on 17/03/2026 at 20:30:
5 fire engines remain on scene at this time. We anticipate reducing our presence within the next few hours, though we’ll likely remain on scene overnight.
Update on 17/03/2026 at 19:00:
There’s currently 6 fire engines and an aerial ladder platform at the scene; with plans to reduce this further over the next couple of hours as relief crews arrive to replace those who have been on scene for a number of hours.
Update on 17/03/2026 at 17:45:
Unfortunately, the property has been 100% damaged by fire. Crews have used 8x sets of breathing apparatus, 2x Compressed Air Foam (CAFS) and jets to try and extinguish the fire.
We hope to scale back the number of crews on scene from 6pm this evening.
Update on 18/03/2026 at 09:00:
We are scaling down our response to one fire engine and one Aerial Ladder Platform. We will remain onsite throughout the morning to damping down and deal with hotspots.
Update on 18/03/2026 at 15:00:
Crews have continued damping down and checking for hotspots throughout the day, while also carrying out community safety work in the surrounding area. A number of Home Fire Safety Visits have been conducted at nearby properties.
If you or someone you know could benefit from a free Home Fire Safety Visit, further information is available here.
Firefighters have now left the scene but will return later this evening to carry out a follow-up inspection of the site.
Update on 18/03/2026 at 19:30:
A crew from Andover returned to the scene this evening to carry out a reinspection. During their checks, they discovered some signs of smouldering and proceeded to damp down the area. As a precaution, a crew will return tomorrow afternoon to conduct a further inspection.
Update on 19/03/2026 at 14:00:
Crews have completed final checks of the scene and no hotspots have been identified.
