CREWS tackled a house fire in Winwick yesterday morning.

Two fire engines were called to Ilex Avenue after the blaze broke out at around 7.45am on Saturday, September 27.

The fire involved the extractor fan in the kitchen of a semi-detatched home.

All persons were accounted for, with smoke having also entered the neighbouring property.

Both addresses were evacuated as a result, with firefighters spending more than two hours at the scene.

A Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “At 7.45am firefighters were informed of a fire involving an extractor fan in the kitchen of a semi-detached house on Ilex Avenue.

“On arrival, crews discovered that no-one was unaccounted for and that smoke from the fire had gone into the house next door.

“Four firefighters wearing firefighters entered the properties.

“The electricity supply to the house containing the fire was isolated and firefighters fought it with a hose reel jet – the neighbouring property was evacuated.

“Fire in the extractor fan's trunking had affected water pipes and caused flooding.

“With signs of the fire having spread above the kitchen, firefighters removed the ceiling and exposed floorboards in the bathroom above it so that they could fully extinguish the fire.

“Once the fire was out, both houses were inspected with a thermal imaging camera to make sure they were safe.

“The fire did not spread to the neighbouring house, and the smoke in both houses cleared naturally.

“Firefighters were in attendance for more than two hours.”