FAMILIES had to be evacuated from their homes in Droitwich in the middle of the night after fire ripped through a terraced house.

Fire crews and police officers were called out at just after 1am today (Monday) after a fire in an outbuilding spread to the first floor and roof of a house in St Richard's Gardens.

Fire engines were dispatched to the scene from Droitwich and Worcester fire stations, and at the height of the blaze, the blaze, five pumping appliances and an aerial ladder platform were on the scene.

St Richard's Garden was closed while the fire was tackled.

Inspector Tanya Beckett of West Mercia Police said: "We have worked with Wychavon District Council during the night to find two families emergency accommodation.

"Evacuations were needed because of the fire damage and the need to ensure the fire had not spread along the terraced houses."

The cause of the fire is not thought to be suspicious.