Flames burst through a scout hut, gutting the much-loved building while residents were enjoying a community event inside.

Thick smoke was seen pouring from the meeting house in Saughall at around 2pm today (Friday, January 30).

Villagers, who were said to be enjoying an event involving afternoon tea, rushed to evacuate the hut as firefighters battled the blaze on Fiddlers Lane.

The hut, which is home to 1st Saughall Scouts, Guides, and Brownies, was said to be devastated by the fire which is thought to have started in an electrical cupboard.

Two fire engines have only just left the scene of the blaze, which took just over two hours to extinguish using jets. Firefighters used a large fan to clear smoke from the building.

As flames poured from the building residents took to Twitter to ask what was happening.

Crew manager Chris Machugh, of Chester Fire Station, praised the people within the building for evacuating so quickly, saying it was lucky that no one was hurt.

“There were people inside having some kind of community event, they did very well to evacuate,” he said.

“There was damage to the interior and exterior. There is no kitchen now and the room next to it has all gone.”

The fire is believed to have started in an electricity consumer unit and the electricity board was called to isolate the supply.