A VILLAGER spoke today of his horror and despair as his family fled from a fire that raged through two historic cottages in Piddlehinton.

Bernard Roughton said he has been left penniless by the fire that left his neighbour's cottage a burned-out shell and wrecked his home. The disaster comes five years after his Rectory Road home was flooded.

The blaze started in a chimney in adjoining Lantern Cottage. More than 100 firefighters tackled the fire on Tuesday night and saved the structure of Mr Roughton's home.

But they had to pull off the thatched roof to make a firebreak.

Charring and heat damage extended through the property.

Mr Roughton, a former lecturer in photography at Weymouth College, said: "We were flooded five years ago by the River Piddle and hadn't really recovered from that - the cob walls were still damp.

"Flood is a life-altering experience but the fire was far worse.

"I believed the house was going to go. It was horrifying to watch. My wife is absolutely distraught."

Mr Roughton, a retired BBC cameraman and film editor, added: "Fire was always a big fear but this started in our neighbour's house.

"Even worse, we were uninsured after the flood. Companies wouldn't insure us after that.

Shock "The cost of getting the place covered with tarpaulins was a shock. It's just about cleaned me out."

Mr Roughton praised villagers for helping by salvaging possessions as the fire raged through the night and their offers of support.

He and his wife Julie and their seven-year-old son Alister have been offered temporary accommodation in the village for a few weeks.

Keith Grainger, who lives in Church Hill, said: "We are launching an appeal for this family. I am sure their cottage is restorable but it's going to cost a lot of money for that and for their other expenses. This is a very caring village. It showed that during the fire. I hope people from the wider community will help. I think we need to raise £50,000.

"This has been terrible and everything is in a state of flux but I'm sure there is room for optimism."

Parish councillor Sara Milne said people should contact her on 01300 348840 to find out about making donations - an account for the Roughtons' Fire Appeal is being set up today.

Rebecca Pearce, who lived at Lantern Cottage, is being cared for by friends in the village.

Mr Grainger said: "She is devastated by what's happened but at least she is insured. A lot of her possessions were salvaged but the cottage itself is virtually demolished."

Villagers opened the village hall to store items recovered from the cottages and provide food for fire crews.

Paul Campbell, who lives opposite the cottages, said: "Everyone rallied round. People did what they could to help the residents - take them in and help get their furniture out. It was this village at its best."