A FIRE has gutted a family home – said to have once been owned by a Lea & Perrins sauce co-founder.

35 firefighters in five engines descended on the semi-detached property in Lansdowne Crescent Lane at 7.05am this morning and battled the blaze for four hours.

Hereford & Worcester Fire Service has said the fire is believed to have been started accidentally and confirmed there were no casualties.

The fire appears to have spread across the neighbouring property, as both sets of windows and doors were open.

A fire crew came back to the property at around 3pm for a reinspection and the windows and doors were left open, as were those of next door.

A fire spokesman said crews from Worcester, Malvern, Evesham, Pershore, Droitwich and Bromsgrove were at the scene.

Breathing apparatus, thermal imaging cameras and main jets were all used.

More to come.