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

The fire was first reported in the early hours of yesterday.

It is estimated that more than £10,000 worth of damage was caused to the buildings, which were owned by two local residents.

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

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

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 more than two hours, though we had the fire under control in about an hour.''

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 where exact site where the fire started or what caused it.