NINE timber frames of new homes under construction and adjoining site offices were damaged by fire early today.

The houses are among up to 40 being built on a Mansell Construction site on Chester Road, East Stanley, County Durham.

First reports of timber framed houses being ablaze on the site reached the fire brigade shortly after 3.30am.

Five fire crews from surrounding stations attended the scene to tackle the blaze, assisted by an aerial ladder platform.

Twelve residents of bungalows for the elderly, on the opposite side of Chester Road, were evacuated to nearby Stanley Park Residential Home, as a precaution.

They were allowed to return to their homes shortly after 6am by which time the fire was well under control.

A stretch of the A693 Stanley to Chester-le-Street road in the vicinity of the fire was closed for a short time while the fire fighting operation took place.

Seven jets and three hose reels were deployed, along with the aerial platform, while four firefighters wore breathing kits as a safety measure.

The brigade issued a 'stop' message for the incident at 7.20am and fire experts will be returning with site officials and the police to examine the scene today.

A Durham Police spokeswoman said the circumstances are under investigation, but it was too early to determine the exact cause.