Thatch Fire - Cause and Effect

[Tall Paul]

F&RS literature around the UK points to the fact that 90% of thatch fires are caused by heat transfer through the brickwork of a working chimney.  Of the three thatch fires that I have been involved with in the past 12 months, one was started by the owner burning paint with a blow lamp just below the eaves, one was a result of fire spread from an internal room fire and one did indeed eminate from the chimney.

I would be interested to know if investigations that have been carried out by members support the 90% theory, or whether hot-works/halogen lamps/electrical fault/other causes are actually more common as fire ignition sources in thatched properties.

Thank you for your help,
Paul