A couple have been left homeless after the roof of their bungalow collapsed during a fire.

Firefighters were called to the two-bedroom property in Snodhurst Avenue, Walderslade at 3.30am.

The flames could be seen from some distance and when the crews arrived the whole roof of the property was ablaze.

Firefighter Jason Grimble said: "When we got there the whole roof was alight. It was initially reported that there were people inside so we went in wearing breathing apparatus to search the property.

"It quickly transpired that there was no-one inside the house so we were pulled back out again."

He said it was difficult to tell where the seat of the fire was because the roof was well alight.

The roof later collapsed and there is extensive water and smoke damage to the whole property, leaving the house is uninhabitable.

The couple who live there have been taken in by neighbours.

No-one was injured in the blaze and the fire is believed to have started accidentally.

Three pumps attended the fire, and two crews left at 7.30am and one crew remained at the scene.

The road was closed during the firefighting operation.