RESIDENTS were evacuated from three neighbouring homes in the early hours after smoke started belching from an empty house.

Firefighters found rooms heavily smoke and fire damaged on arrival at the house in Melrose Crescent, Seaham, County Durham, shortly after 3am yesterday.

The owner was out at the time, and following advice from fire fighters, police evacuated residents from the nearest houses as a precaution.

They were allowed to return when the all-clear was given at 5pm. Police said the fire was probably caused by a discarded cigarette smouldering in furniture in the living room