GAZETTE & HERALD: HOMEOWNERS Sally and Paul Harley and their dog escaped a fire, which swept through the bedroom of their house in Cherhill on Sunday night.

Mr and Mrs Harley were in the process of selling their semi-detached cottage in The Street and had been storing new furniture in the spare bedroom, which caught fire.

Firefighters from Calne, Chippenham and Marlborough raced to tackle the blaze just after 9pm on Sunday. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Most of the bedroom and its contents were destroyed and smoke logging affected the first floor, roof space and adjoining property.

Neighbour Shauna Bodmin said the Harleys were not hurt and they had gone to stay with their daughter.

"We had smelled smoke but there was lots of people having bonfires so we had no idea. Then I saw a fire car in our drive and I thought there must be a problem. The Harleys were in the road with their dog. They were all fine and that is what's most important," said Mrs Bodman.

She said Mrs Harley was devastated because they were about to move. "I really felt for her. They have lost memories that they can never replace.''

Allen and Harris in Calne said the house is still being sold.