Householders flee blaze

Families living next door to the property on Crumwell Road, Kimberworth, had to flee their homes as a precaution after fire broke out shortly after 11am on Friday.

Around 20 firefighters battled for more than an hour to control the blaze after receiving a 999 call from the owner of the property.

A fire service spokesman said: “He managed to get his family out safely before fire crews from Rotherham and Elm Lane stations arrived.

“At first the fire was tackled from inside the house but fire crews were forced to withdraw and use an Aerial Ladder Platform after the roof collapsed.

“No-one was injured but neighbouring houses had to be evacuated as a safety precaution.”

Fire crews managed to prevent the blaze spreading to other properties, but the house affected was badly damaged.

Dangerous structures engineers were sent in to assess whether it would need to be demolished.

The fire service spokesman added: “The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental.”