A fire seriously damaged two semi-detatched houses in Aldershot on Saturday night (July 26).

Twenty-four firefighters were called to tackle the blaze in Coronation Road at 10.50pm.

They spent more than six hours putting out the flames, dampening down and searching for hot spots.

Two fire engines from Rushmoor Fire Station attending the scene and were joined by one engine from Fleet and an Anti Roll Vehicle from Southsea in Portsmouth.

The fire ripped through the first house causing damage to 80% of the entire property before damaging 80% of the roof and upstairs to the house next door.

No-one was injured but the homeowners have not been allowed to return.

An investigation by Hampshire Fire and Rescue and Hampshire Police said the fire was not suspicious but a cause is not known.

Telephone lines had to be cut to let the aerial ladder platform in and the road was shut off forcing residents to park in nearby streets.

Les Smith, who lives in Coronation Road, said a large crowd of people came out of the houses to watch huge flames leaping up from the houses.

“I saw the blue flashing lights of the fire engines so I came out of my house,” he said.

“I didn’t expect to see the flames lighting up the sky.

“The fire started and then spread through the roof the next house. It went quite quickly.”

Mr Smith said some of the fire engines left at around 4.30am on Sunday, with others staying at the scene until later that morning.