SPOTLIGHTS may have been to blame for a fire which tore through the roof of a house and led to families evacuating their homes.
The blaze broke out in the loft of the property in Summerwood Lane, Clifton, in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Fire crews from West Bridgford were called at about 3.52am as the smell of smoke spread to the homes of people living next door to the terraced house.
Neighbour Vernon Ganly, 45, said he was woken by the smoke but at first had no idea where it was coming from.
He said: "I looked out of the bedroom window and saw smoke coming from the eaves of the house and the neighbours came outside and rang the fire brigade.
"I had to stay out for about 15 minutes, then the firefighters came and then it was out."
The house is thought to be rented by two women aged in their 20s.
Neither is thought to have been hurt and no-one else was affected.
A few doors down Robert Treece, 65, said he and wife Kathleen were woken by the sound of the fire brigade arriving.
He said: "It woke us up because the engines were roaring and the lights were flashing. then I looked outside and thought 'what's going off?'
"Apparently all the loft was on fire. A fireman said it was because of a problem with some little spot lights.
"Some people had to leave their houses for a bit because it was next to their lofts.
"I heard once it caught hold it went up pretty quick and it's burnt a hole in the middle of the roof.
"It's a shame really about the house but I'm really glad no-one was injured."
Yesterday a green tarpaulin could be seen covering the hole in the roof.
Another person living on the street, who did not want to give their name, said: "People had to leave their houses because of the smoke, it's still smelly in there now."
Notts Fire and Rescue Service said four firefighters wearing breathing equipment tackled the fire and it was declared over at 4.47am.
