A South Oxhey home was left badly damaged after a fire broke out while the occupant was away over the weekend.

Firefighers had to move swiftly as the flames took hold of the roof of the terrace house, in Prestwick Road, and threatened to spread to neighbouring homes.

Fire crews were called at around 11.30pm on Saturday night after neighbours raised the alarm.

Derek MacLeod, watch manager of Watford Green Watch, said eight firefighters went into the house with breathing masks.

He said the fact the fire had spread to the roof made the conditions very hot and very difficult for the crews inside.

Mr MacLeod said: "The fire was in the rear bedroom when we arrived. There was smoke coming out of the front of the house and flames coming out of the bedroom.

"It also got into the roof and spread to the neighbour’s.

"It took about 30 minutes to the fire under control. When fire starts to get into the roof it makes it very difficult. It was very, very hot conditions upstairs."

The female occupant was out at the time, but her dog was in the house and ran away when the fire started.

Mr MacLeod said the dog was later located by people in the neighbourhood and reunited with its owner.

After the flames were extinguished most of the upstairs of the house had been badly damaged by the fire.

The cause of the fire is being treated as accidental