Crime scene investigators arrive at scene of house blaze

The blaze at Spout House, a Grade II listed building in Spout Lane, Stannington, was reported to firefighters at 3.10am.

Firefighters from three stations were deployed to the blaze and are still damping down.

The roof was destroyed and the house was initially declared too unsafe for firefighters to enter to search for possible casualties.

They have not yet revealed whether anyone was in the house at the time.

Neighbours said a man and woman in their 90s live there.

The house is cordoned off while an investigation into the cause of the blaze is underway.

National Grid engineers are at the scene.