TWO pensioners had to be evacuated after fire ripped through their home in County Durham yesterday.

The two pensioners, one of whom was 95-years-old, were said to be shocked but otherwise unhurt by the blaze at their home in Merry Terrace, Dipton, near Stanley.

The property was severely damaged by fire and smoke downstairs and also moderately damaged upstairs.

"The two occupants were obviously shocked by the state of their home," said firefighter Brian Smith, a sub-master at High Handehold station, just outside Stanley.

"They had left the house and called us out. The fire was totally accidental and we managed to deal with it quite quickly."

The fire brigade was called out just before noon to the fire and had to use breathing apparatus to enter the house