A FIRE which ripped through a house in Malvern Wells was caused by an electrical problem.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) say the blaze, which ruined the roof and first floor of the home in Green Lane, was caused by electricity.

The fire broke out in the building's roof before 8am on Monday, May 16, while the property's elderly owner was still lying in bed.

Geoffrey Bishop, aged 85, said he heard the doorbell ringing over and over, and looked out of his window to see neighbour Phil Hall stood outside in his dressing gown.

"I opened the window to look out and there was fog all over the drive," remembered Mr Bishop, who uses a mobility scooter.

He continued: "The chap who was ringing the bell said he could see flames through the roof.

"I was a bit surprised because I had been lying in bed for an hour and heard nothing and the smoke detectors hadn't recorded anything."

Crews from five engines battled the blaze all day and night, but the property was extensively damaged.

Around 90 per cent of the roof was destroyed, while 60 per cent of the first floor was damaged.

Speaking last Wednesday, Mr Bishop praised the "excellent" work of the fire crews, but said he was "baffled" as to how the blaze began.

He explained: "It seems to have been an electrical fault but as there wasn't much electrical up there. I think it is possibly something like a squirrel - they can chew through cables.

"I have not been up the stairs for two weeks at least and nothing that we were doing down below that would have caused it."

Mr Bishop, who has lived in the property for 40 years, continued to say he planned to "mend the house".