A blaze which engulfed a house and garden for nearly eight hours in a seaside town is believed to have been started accidentally, firefighters said.

Several crews from Devon and Somerset Fire Service were called out to the incident on Claredale Road in Exmouth at about 12:50 BST on Friday and led to warning to avoid the area.

The service said the blaze had started in the garden of the property before spreading to the house. All people and a dog inside the building were able to get out safely.

A fire service spokesperson said the flames were extinguished by 20:46.