An investigation is under way into the cause of a fire which gutted a home near Catterick, North Yorkshire.

The blaze started in two separate areas inside the bungalow in St Cuthbert's Avenue, Colburn - one on the kitchen cooker hob and the second in an airing cupboard in the hallway.

Fire crews from Colburn and Leyburn raced to the scene after receiving reports just before 3pm today (Friday, January 24) that smoke was coming from the bungalow and people may be trapped inside.

A search of the building revealed it was empty and the crews - later joined by appliances from Bedale and Richmond - extinguished the blaze using two water jets.

The building was 80 per cent fire damaged and completely smoke damaged.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the cause of the fire is currently unknown but an investigation is being carried out.