A fire which caused extensive damage to a period home in Market Lavington was caused by a build up of heat when work was carried out on a roof of neighbouring property say firefighters.

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze in the High Street at the home of Frank and Sarah Jones was started accidentally. A spokesman said: “Following investigations by us and the insurers, we are now satisfied that the fire started accidentally due to a build up of heat during work on the roof earlier that day.”

Extensive damage was caused to the Jones’ three-storey 17th Century home in August.They have moved to rented accommodation and are not expected to be able to return home for several months.

Neighbour Lt Col Patrick Lort-Phillips, whose home was damaged by water as firefighters battled to stop the blaze spreading, said he and his wife Sally, are still unable to use their dining room and there are leaks in the roof. He said: “The recent rain has been causing us problems and the dining room ceiling is going to have to be completely replaced.

“I think it will be some time before Frank and Sarah are able to return to their home.”

The alarm was raised after plumber Andy Ottaway who spotted smoke while working on the next door home at 1pm on September 2.

But the work to the roof was not connected to Mr Ottaway. Home owner Paul Churchill, who was in London when the fire broke out, said at the time of the fire Mr Ottaway was carrying out central heating work on his house but this was not the cause. He said a different contractor had been working on a roof at the back of the property earlier in the day.