A COTTAGE was badly damaged in a blaze thought to have been started by a log burning fire.

Three crews were despatched to the property, on the Westline Industrial Estate, Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, at 10.12pm on Monday (August 25).

A County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Brigade spokeswoman said: “The detached cottage was well alight when crews arrived at the scene. Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were deployed and two hose reels were in use.

“The fire originated from a log burning fire and had spread within the property.

“The male occupant of the cottage had got out of the cottage before the crews arrived and was uninjured.”

The incident was over by 11.29pm when the stop message was logged with brigade control.

Two crews came from High Handenhold and one from Consett attended, and a crew visited to check the scene at 1am.

The spokeswoman added: “There are no suspicious circumstances and the incident is now closed.”