A Malmesbury family has been left homeless after fire ripped through their home yesterday.

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service was called to the semi-detached property in Silveston Way at 2.35pm. Three crews attended, from Tetbury, Chippenham and Cricklade, supported by the aerial appliance from Swindon.

On arrival, firefighters found a well-developed fire that had spread through the whole house. Two breathing apparatus wearers, two hose reel jets and two main jets were used to tackle the blaze.

The occupiers were not at the property at the time the fire started but returned having been contacted by neighbours. They were then cared for at the scene by volunteers from the British Red Cross fire and emergency support service, based at Swindon fire station.

The neighbouring property also suffered fire and water damage, and is likely to be inhabitable for some time.

It appears that the fire started outside, in or near a small shed, and then spread to the house. However, the exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

A range of fire safety advice can be found at www.wiltsfire.gov.uk/yoursafety