Properties gutted in severe fire

Several buildings have been badly damaged in a fire in Wellington, Somerset, the fire service has said.

The blaze started at 0045 GMT at a derelict property in the Cornhill area.

A fire service spokeswoman said the blaze was then thought to have spread to other stores and some flats above.

The fire has now been put out but Taunton Deane Borough Council has said the area is still unsafe. Officials have not ruled out arson as the cause of the blaze.