A FIRE badly damaged a home in a Hampshire village last night (Feb 15).

The blaze broke out at a house in Willow Green, Colden Common, near Winchester, at around 10.45pm.

It started in the roof and moved to the first floor of the property but the family living there was able to escape.

Appliances from Eastleigh, Winchester, Redbridge and St Mary’s attended and battled the blaze for four hours.

Twenty-six firefighters used an aerial ladder platform, eight breathing apparatus and three jets.

Watch manager Mark Compton, of Eastleigh Fire Station, first on the scene, said: “It’s still under investigation but it looks like the fire was caused by a possible electrical fault.

“It was difficult to deal with because it was already a developed fire when we arrived. But luckily everyone got out safely in time.”

It is understood the family has gone to stay with relatives.