A FLAT on the busy Torquay Road at Kingskerswell was badly damaged by smoke after a bathroom fire on Thursday afternoon.

Major traffic queues built up as fire crews from five towns went to the blaze amid concerns that people were still inside the property next to a Chinese take-away.

Checks confirmed no one was in the property which also suffered fire damage to all of the bathroom, part of the roof space and a window.

The cause was a tumble dryer which caught alight, sending flames towards the roof space.

Numerous 999 calls were made by the public when flames were spotted coming from the first floor flat just after 3.30pm.

A Torquay crew were first on scene followed by one from Newton Abbot. A third appliance from Paignton, an incident command unit from Totnes and a support pump from Buckfastleigh also attended.

A fire spokesman confirmed that the property suffered 100 smoke damage with the bathroom being completely destroyed.

Firefighters, wearing two sets of breathing gear, prevented the flames spreading through the roof. One hosereel jet was used.