The homes of an elderly gentleman and a family of four were damaged after a shed caught fire between the two properties in Royston at the weekend.

More details have emerged of the incident, which started just before 4am yesterday morning in Hunters Way, and was reported around 20 times by different members of the community.

Royston crew commander Steve Greaves was the officer in charge on the night.

He told the Crow: “We received repeat calls at 3.55am, early on Sunday morning, to what was believed to be a small fire in the open.

“En route we could see the plume of smoke from the fire station, and it quickly became apparent on arrival that a shed had caught fire in between two houses and had affected both properties – damaging the soffits and facia on the exterior of both, and the extension on one property.

“Both households – an elderly gentleman and a family of four – escaped unharmed, thanks to the help of neighbours.

“Crews from Royston, Baldock & Letchworth, and Stevenage stations attended the blaze, along with the ambulance service for precautionary checks. The blaze was brought under control within 30 minutes and crews stayed to dampen down and make the area safe until 6.30am.”

A Herts police spokeswoman confirmed the force was called by the fire service, but officers’ assistance was not required.