Blaze that gutted flats was 'started accidentally'

A fire that gutted part of a block of flats started accidentally, firefighters have confirmed.

Residents of nine flats have been forced to move into hotels after the blaze on Marigold Road, Frome, on Wednesday.

No one was seriously injured but the building was extensively damaged with part of the roof collapsing. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed on Saturday the blaze had been started accidentally.

Selwood Housing, which own the flats, said it was "hard to estimate" when residents might be able to return.

Firefighters said the fire began in a second-floor flat, with one occupant of the building suffering from smoke inhalation and given oxygen therapy before being handed over to paramedics.

Seven fire engines attended the scene at the height of the incident, alongside a number of support vehicles, with the flames extinguished by 02:26 GMT on Thursday morning.

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