A police guard has been set outside a terraced house after fire broke out in the property this morning (Tuesday).

Fire crews tackled the blaze after reports of smoke issuing from the end of terrace house on Canterbury Way, Stevenage shortly after 10am.

Firefighters in breathing apparatus searched the house as it was initially thought people were inside. The property was empty and all occupants were accounted for.

The fire was declared out by 10.30am, but crews were still damping down until well into the afternoon.

The cause of the blaze is as yet uncertain.