A house in Amersham has been ravaged by fire.

The detached home in Highland Road suffered 80 per cent damage to both the ground and first floor.

Three fire crews spent an hour tackling the blaze, after receiving a call at around 3pm.

Firefighters used four sets of breathing apparatus, three main jets, two hose reels, and a thermal imaging camera, plus specialist equipment for working at heights.

The house's occupants were safely evacuated. No one was injured.

Barney, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service's fire investigation dog, and his handler Kerry Burns have been asked to search the property. They will help the fire investigation team to determine the cause of the blaze.

Fraser Pearson, service spokesman, said: "Barney can sniff out various substances and he can either rule in or rule out possible causes of the fire. He can give us an indication as to whether a fire has been started deliberately."