SEVERAL pets died in a house fire in the region at the weekend, firefighters have confirmed.

Emergency services were called to Suffolk Street, in Stockton, at about 2pm yesterday. 

Cleveland Fire Brigade sent three fire appliances from Middlesbrough and Thornaby stations to the scene of the incident.

A brigade spokesperson said the property sustained "severe fire and smoke damage" and there were unfortunately "several pets deceased inside property".

Firefighters used specialist breathing apparatus two hose reel jets, a thermal image camera and a positive pressure ventilation fan to deal with the blaze, and left the scene by 4.27pm.

It is not known if any people were hurt and the cause of the fire has been confirmed.