Fire crews from Exmouth assisted with a fire outside a property in Budleigh Salterton in the early hours of this morning (24 July).

Police were also called and are investigating the cause of the fire.

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said: "Two fire appliances from Exmouth and one from Sidmouth attended reports of a fire potentially involving a property on Greenway Lane in Budleigh Salterton.

"On arrival crews confirmed a fire involving wheelie bins to the front of the property.

"The fire had also damaged part of the front of the building and caused smoke logging in two flats which had to be evacuated.

"To deal with the incident crews used one hose reel jet, one safety jet, small tools, two short extension ladders and a thermal image camera.

"After the fire was extinguished, the scene made safe and the flats ventilated the occupiers were allowed back in.

"The cause of the fire is being investigated and the police also attended."