A thatched roof is a feast for the eyes. But it also entails risks. Reeds are very vulnerable to fire. And once it burns, the fire is very difficult to fight.
A farmhouse with thatched roof in Boxtel was largely destroyed by fire on Wednesday. Ronald Blokpoel is operational chief officer at the Central and West Brabant fire brigade. According to Blokpoel, extinguishing a fire in a thatched roof is complicated for several reasons:
- Reeds hold back water. The extinguishing water therefore slides off the roof.
- Thatch is often in a thick package of 20 to 30 centimeters on the roof. The fire eats through it. A lot of smoke is created and it is almost impossible for the fire brigade to see exactly where the fire is raging.
To ensure that the extinguishing water does penetrate the thatched roof, the fire brigade can pull the thatch apart. Another option is to create a firebreak on the roof, from top to bottom. Such a slot prevents the fire from spreading further. “We need space for this method, because our people have to climb onto the roof,” explains Blokpoel.
Difference in type of roof
One thatched roof is not the other: there are different types. The often older houses are much more at risk. The reed is attached to slats there. If you look up inside, you will see the reeds. “Extremely dangerous,” says Blokpoel. “The fire eats right into those roofs.”
The newer houses usually have a screw roof. In this construction, the reed is screwed onto roof plates. “They are more fire-resistant, so the chance of successful extinguishing with such a roof is much greater.”
More risk than with tiled roof
The fact remains that the fire risks are greater with a thatched roof than with a tiled roof. “A tiled roof is made of poorly combustible material. If a piece of fireworks lands on such a roof, the chances are not that great that it will immediately lead to a fire. With a thatched roof, a spark can be enough. And the longer the reed is on it, the drier and more flammable it becomes. Especially the bottom layer of the reed.”
If your house has a thatched roof, make sure you have:
- Fire extinguishers
- Smoke detectors
- Lightning rod on the roof
- Spark arrester (this is mandatory if your house has a stove or fireplace. You place the spark arrester on your chimney and it ensures that sparks are less likely to end up on the roof)
In Moergestel, a farmhouse with a thatched roof burned down completely in 2021.