DOZENS of firefighters were called to a blaze at a ground-floor flat last night.

The fire broke out just before 11pm, and fire engines from Wootton Bassett, Westlea, Cricklade, Stratton and Swindon stations were all called to tackle it.

All in all, almost 30 firefighters were at the scene in Amber Court in the town centre.

The 40ft-by-40ft flat was unoccupied at the time, and an investigation is now underway to find the cause of the fire, but it is believed to be deliberate.

It is expected that this will conclude on Monday.

An unknown number of residents were told to evacuate the building during the incident.

The incident was declared over at midnight.

The incident commander, Andrew Hargreaves, said: "This was a very serious fire and only a prompt attendance and swift firefighting action by the crews prevented it from spreading to other flats.

"The speed of the fire’s development again highlights the need for smoke alarms that are regularly checked and backed up by a personal fire survival plan."

But meanwhile, the fire brigade was also battling a fire at a garage in Redcliffe Street.

There was no vehicle inside, and a cylinder full of liquid gas did not go off.

It is believed to have been started deliberately.

This incident was also declared over shortly before midnight.