TWO men today escaped a house fire as fierce flames raged upstairs.

Seventeen firefighters tackled the blaze which ripped through a bedroom and the roof.

The crews were called to the end terrace property on Chaytor Road, Bridgehill, near Consett, County Durham, at 1.35am today.

Ten firefighters from Consett station, five from high Handenhold and two with an aerial ladder platform from Durham arrived at the scene and were there for around five-and-a-half hours.

The house was well alight but two men had managed to get out before the emergency services arrived and escaped any injury.

A fire brigade spokeswoman today said: “We received the initial call at 1.35am of a two story end terrace house on fire in Chaytor Road in Bridgehill.

“Two crews from Consett, one from High Handenhold and an aerial ladder platform from Durham attended.

“The first floor bedroom and the roof void were well alight.

“Everyone in the property were out when the fire brigade arrived. We were there until 6.59am.”