Wolverhampton house gutted by fire believed to have been caused by electrical fault

The alarm was raised by occupants of the semi-detached property, on Swancote Drive, in Merry Hill, before they evacuated early this morning, said West Midlands Fire Service.

Firefighters received a call at 12.54am reporting a two-storey property on fire.

A spokesman for the fire service said the blaze started in a first-floor bedroom which was "caused by an electrical fault".

"The call was made from the property," the spokesman said. "All the occupants were outside when they called."

West Midlands Fire Service say 70 per cent of the building was damaged by smoke and 25 per cent by fire.

The property was cordoned off this morning where a pile of charred items were strewn on the front garden.

One window upstairs was missing and the room was blackened inside.

A neighbour, a 42-year-old man who wished to remain anonymous, said: "I saw the police and fire brigade come out.

"I came out later when it was all done. It is obviously shocking to have this on your doorstep. Obviously you are worried for their welfare and everybody around."

Two crews from Wolverhampton Fire Station attended the scene, totalling eight firefighters.

On arrival, crews initially used a hose reel jet but then deployed a fan to get rid of the smoke.