Windows were blackened and soot covered the walls after a severe fire in a Smith's home caused an estimated $85,000 worth of damage on Monday.

The Bermuda Fire Service was called to the scene on Knapton Lane at 10.26 p.m. on Monday night. The five attending personnel were unable to leave until over an hour later.

"The fire started in the living room," said Fire spokesperson Lt. Anthony Caisey, "where there was severe fire, heat and smoke damage.

"The doors to bedrooms and other rooms were left open," he said, adding that this was normal practice. It was a practice, however, that allowed the fire to spread rapidly and cause further smoke and heat damage throughout the remainder of the house.

A lamp had been left on for the benefit of a pet parrot, who sadly succumbed to the fire. However, said Lt. Caisey, "that had nothing to do with the start of the fire". Fortunately there were no human injuries during the blaze. An investigation into the incident is on-going.