EMERGENCY services are investigating after a bungalow was seriously damaged in a blaze.

Detectives and fire investigators have spent Saturday morning at Bloemfontein Place, Craghead, Stanley, and a house has been cordoned off.

The rear of the property is severely fire damaged and what looks like a badly burned tumble dryer or washing machine is in the garden.

Firefighters from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue were called at 8.20pm on Friday night.

Group manager Phil Innis said: “On arrival the crews were met with one domestic bungalow and a well-developed fire.

“They used four firefighters in breathing apparatus to go into to tackle the fire with a hose reel.

“The cause is unknown at the moment and we have got a joint investigation ongoing with the police.

“Everyone was out of the building when they got there. There was no-one rescued and no-one injured.

“Everyone was accounted for on arrival.”

Fire crews stayed at the scene until 11.35pm on Friday night.

The investigation is being carried out in conjunction with officers from Durham Constabulary.

Mr Innis said: “There was quite a lot of significant fire damage so this is to ascertain the cause. We always do fire investigations with police nowadays.”

The force has been contacted for comment.