Inquiry launched as fire guts outbuilding

A bungalow in a small Shropshire village was badly damaged and an outbuilding destroyed when a fire broke out.

Eight firefighters took 30 minutes to bring the flames under control at the property in Clee Vantage, Clee Hill.

Crews from Cleobury Mortimer, Tenbury Wells and Ludlow were alerted to the fire at 5.30pm yesterday. No-one was in the property at the time of the blaze.

Police and the fire service have now launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze.

Fire investigator Neil Griffiths said: "Crews arrived and were faced with what they initially thought was a shed on fire at the back of the property, which was what the call was originally for. However, it became apparent there was a fire within the premise itself.

"There was no-one in the premises at the time, which was confirmed to us by a neighbour.

"There was extensive heat and smoke damage to the premise and particularly to the roof space. The outbuilding, which was a wooden summerhouse, was destroyed."

He added: "We are just beginning our investigations so we cannot confirm what caused the fire."