By Saul Cooke-Black

TWO fire engines have been called to a fire in a second floor flat in Mathews Way, Paganhill.

A spokesman from the fire service said the flat is 'severely damaged.'

Nathan Green, who was house-sitting for friends in the next block along from where the fire was, said: "I arrived home to find smoke billowing out of both sides of the building, and lots of people standing on the grassy area outside.

"The fire service were already on the scene and I heard people telling them that they weren't sure if everyone had managed to get out of the block.

"As the flames started to grow, it became apparent that it was a top floor flat on fire.

"I could hear popping and cracking as the fascias and balcony door melted, and then the flames were leaping out into the open air.

"The guttering started to twist and melt, then the fire hoses pushed the flames back and extinguished the fire very quickly.

"They did an excellent job.”

The fire is now under control.

Nobody has been injured.