Fire crews from across the island fought a ’rapidly developing fire’ at a home in Andreas.

Members of Ramsey, Kirk Michael, Laxey and Douglas fire stations were called to Ballalough Estate at just before 2.40pm on Saturday. The teams tackled flames which had taken hold of the ground and first floors of a house.

Douglas fire station officer David Cowley said: ’The intensity of the fire meant that crews wearing breathing apparatus had to work in very demanding conditions to bring the incident under control.’

All people and pets were evacuated before the flames took over and no one was injured.

An investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing, but it is not believed to be suspicious.