AN investigation is underway to find the cause of a fire which left the roof of a cottage badly damaged.

Four fire engines were called to the scene near Droitwich yesterday, and firefighters used a 27ft ladder to help them battle the flames.

The fire caused extensive damage to the roof and took about 40 minutes to put out, with six breathing apparatus and three hose reel jets in operation during the incident.

Two fire engines from Droitwich and two from Kidderminster were called to Bearcroft Cottage, Clattercut Lane, Cutnall Green, at about 11.15am.

"The fire is now under investigation as we don't know how it started," said fire brigade spokesman Alec Mackie.

"The fire was going quite well when firemen arrived."

The property was reported to be empty when the fire took hold.

"The cottage didn't have a thatched roof but it was a black and white traditional- type cottage, about 100-years-old, perhaps older," said Mr Mackie.

"The ground floor was extensively smoke-damaged.

"There was no rescue and there was nobody in the property."

Police attended the incident but were unavailable for comment.