FIRE engulfed the home of a young family on the Sandylands estate in Kendal last night, with flames seen billowing from the roof.

Five fire crews, two from Kendal and single crews from Milnthorpe, Windermere and Barrow, made up of 26 fire fighters, were called to tackle the blaze on Sandylands Road just after 10.30pm.

They found the roof well alight and worked to stop the fire from spreading to adjoining houses.

Kendal station manager Steve Sharrock said the original call was that there was a family in the house with children, but on arrival found they had safely evacuated.

“The occupier told us that early in the evening he had noticed a fault with the lighting system in the bathroom, flicking on and off, which he had isolated,” he said.

“Later he heard a crackle and when he looked into the attic, saw a fire had started to take hold.”

There was significant water damage to the house, and fire damage to rooms on the first floor as well as the attic.

There was also some smoke damage to adjoining properties, though fire fighters managed to stop the fire itself from spreading along the row of terraced houses.

Part of the roof was cut away to help extinguish the flames, with crews making the beams safe before leaving.

Council gritters were also called to the fire as water running onto the road turned to ice in the freezing temperatures.

The last fire fighters left the scene at 4.30am today.

Mr Sharrock called on householders to ensure they have working smoke alarms, and said anyone can request a free home fire risk assessment by calling 0800 358 4777.