A FAMILY has had to be re-homed after a tumble dryer caught on fire. Firefighters from St Ives and Huntingdon were alerted to the blaze in Tudor Court, Godmanchester, on Wednesday at about 11.25am. The residents had been out at the time but, although cr

A FAMILY has had to be re-homed after a tumble dryer caught on fire.

Firefighters from St Ives and Huntingdon were alerted to the blaze in Tudor Court, Godmanchester, on Wednesday at about 11.25am.

The residents had been out at the time but, although crews managed to contain the fire to the tumble dryer and utility room, the whole house was said to have been left badly smoke-damaged and the occupants have had to be re-homed.

Four dogs escaped from the house uninjured, but two guinea pigs died in the fire, which is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault in the tumble dryer.

Firefighter Martin Ockenden, who attended the blaze, said: "Crews were alerted to the fire by an alarm in the house and luckily a neighbour had a spare key so crews could gain access. It could have been a lot worse."

INFORMATION: Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service offers free home fire safety checks and fits smoke alarms free. To find out more, visit your nearest fire station.