A middle aged man was taken into the care of the ambulance service suffering with smoke inhalation after a fire in his home.

Crews were called to Buckland Lane in Staple just before 1 this morning.

A breathing apparatus team entered the detached property and found the ground floor engulfed in flames.

After quickly extinguishing the blaze, they used a special fan to clear smoke and fumes from the house, a thermal imaging camera to check for hot spots and carried out salvage work.

A man believed to be in his 40s was passed into the care of the ambulance service, thought to be suffering from the effects of breathing in smoke.

A Red Cross vehicle was also sent to provide emotional and practical support to the residents.

Crews left the property at around 3.30am.

At the same time, firefighters were also called to Bindon Blood Road in Whitfield to reports of a caravan alight.

Two fire engines attended at 1.20am and used a hose reel jet to extinguish the flaming motor.

Two LGP cylinders were found and a cooling jet was used to bring the temperature down.

They left the scene at 2.10am.