TWO dogs and three pet rabbits died in an allotment fire which destroyed a range of garden buildings and a stable in a County Durham village.

The fire was reported in the early hours of this morning. Four appliances, two from Peterlee, one from Seaham and one from Wheatley Hill, attended the scene in Market Crescent, Wingate.

Watch manager at Peterlee Fire Station, Ian Ferguson said: "We were there for over two hours though we had the fire under control in about an hour.'' It is estimated that more than £10,000 worth of damage was caused to the buildings which were owned by a local resident and a further building belonging to a second Wingate man.

Distressed at the loss of the dogs and the rabbits, the owner did not wish to be named or comment on the severe fire.

The buildings which were destroyed were timber with corregated tin roofs.

It was at first feared that there were gas cylinders in the buildings after a small explosion but fire officers established that there had only been one paraffin heater on the premises.

The intensity of the blaze and the ensuing damage made it impossible for fire officers to establish either the seat or the cause of the fire.