A BLAZE tore through a flat "with incredible speed" after an immersion heater caught fire.

The one-bedroom first floor flat was destroyed despite the efforts of three fire crews called to the blaze in Bevelwood Gardens, High Wycombe.

The original call was to a boiler fire but by the time crews arrived at 4pm on Monday the flat was totally alight. The occupants were able to escape the flat and nobody was injured.

A fire brigade spokesman said the fire started in an immersion heater in an airing cupboard and quickly spread to the rest of the flat.

He added: "This fire took hold with incredible speed."

He said the fire was severe and all the flat windows were blown out. Firefighters were at the scene for four hours.

One neighbour who asked not to be named said: "I came back from work and saw the fire engines. Thank God no one was injured."

High Wycombe Fire Station Assistant Divisional Officer Steve Cripps said the fire is believed to have been an electrical fault but investigations are still ongoing.

He issued a warning for householders to watch for danger signs of faulty wiring.

He said: "We would like to suggest that with wiring people look out for signs of danger such as hot plugs and sockets. You should ask a qualified electrician to check wiring."