A fire reportedly started when welding work went wrong has destroyed the thatched roof of a stunning thousand-year-old church.
Eleven fire crews tackled the blaze at St Mary's Parish Church in Beachamwell, close Swaffham, Norfolk, earlier today.
The massive flames engulfed the incredible building just miles from the Queen's Sandringham estate for hours.
Today's blaze has damaged the entirety of the medieval church, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said.
The service advised people to avoid the scene and told them to keep all windows and doors shut as they worked tirelessly to get the dangerous situation under control.
A thorough investigation is under way to discover what started the fire in the village.
Terry Pinto, of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: "It was such a beautiful church in the heart of the community.
"Unfortunately, when we arrived, the roof was fully involved in fire and it had already spread to the main building of the church so it was all about damage limitation and trying to stop the impact on the wider community and environment.
"The building is completely damaged by fire.
"Lots and lots of irreplaceable items unfortunately will be lost through the fire which is a real shame."
No-one was hurt during the incident, the fire service said.
Firefighters finally managed to get the situation under control at 2pm this afternoon, four hours after the first started.
Locals said the roof was being repaired to replace some lead, which had been stolen in the New Year.
An unnamed worker was quoted by the EDP saying two people were on the roof carrying out repairs before disaster struck.
He said: "We were putting the led roof on.
"The thatched roof was all rotten, there were thatchers working on it the other day and it was like dust, it just fell apart.
"We were doing a little bit of welding and a spark caught the thatched roof. And, well, look at it now, it’s mortifying."
The church's spectacular round tower was built in the 11th century. It is believed to be one of the earliest in Norfolk.
Structural engineers are to now assess the damage, as there were fears about the stability of the tower.
Steph Brown, who lives in the village, told the BBC that the fire as "very, very sad".
She said: "It's a beautiful church with a thatched roof.
"The spire has gone, the roof has gone and this is a thousand-year-old church - the windows have gone. The church is a shell of what it used to be."
