House destroyed by fire

A semi-detached house in Milton Keynes has been severely damaged by a fire.

Fire crews from Great Holm and Bletchley went to the incident in Cottesloe Court in Galley Hill on Sunday evening, at around 6.40pm. They used a piece of equipment called a 'turntable ladder' and as well as the local firefighters, support vehicles from Aylesbury attended the scene.

Firefighter Jim Hutchison from Great Holm Fire Station, who was one of the first people at the scene, said: "When we arrived the flames were 20 feet above the house."

The first floor and roof were destroyed and the ground floor was severely damaged.

Group Manager Dave Norris, who also attended, said: "Such was the severity of the fire that the second floor fell through to the first floor and the first floor started falling through to the ground floor.

"The crews had to work really hard to prevent the fire from spreading to the adjoining property. There was a small amount of damage to the loft and roof and the occupants had to leave the house."

Paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service treated a woman for shock. Firefighters also found the body of a cat in the house.

An investigation has been launched in to the cause of the fire.