A PERSHORE couple will return home from holiday this weekend to find their bedroom gutted by fire.

Fire fighters from the town's station were called to a blaze at a home on Allesborough Drive on bank holiday Monday morning.

The alarm was raised by the couple's son who was looking after the house while his parents were on holiday in the Balearics.

The householders have been told about the incident and have decided to continue their Mediterranean holiday until this weekend as planned.

Pershore Fire Station sub officer Chris Parsons said: "The fire was electrical in origin and there are no suspicious circumstances." His crew attended the scene at 8.50am and entered the house using breathing apparatus. After bringing the fire under control crews from Worcester and Evesham were called to bring extra ventilation equipment to the scene.

Mr Parsons, who is Britain's longest-serving fire officer, said the fire caused damage to the bedroom but did not spread to the rest of the house.

"The door to the room was immediately closed by the occupant when he discovered the fire and this contained it well and stopped it spreading," he said. "Although there were smoke alarms in the house, these were not installed in the best position and the fire was only discovered when the occupant smelt smoke. It goes to show how important it is to get smoke alarms in the right places."

For information about fitting smoke alarms and other aspects of fire prevention and safety log on to the Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade website at www.hwfire.org.uk.