A devastating fire swept through a Smith’s parish home this morning, gutting most of the interior before firefighters could bring it under control.

Crews responded to reports of smoke at the Knapton Close residence at 8.40 a.m. and were on the scene 20 minutes later. When they arrived, the lower level of the house was completely engulfed in flames, with the blaze spreading quickly to the second floor.

The four residents of the house — who were at home when the fire broke out — escaped without injury, but said they did not expect to salvage anything.

A spokesman for the Fire Service said crews had extinguished the bulk of the fire within an hour- and-a-half.

For the full story see tomorrow's Royal Gazette.