A FARMHOUSE in the district was destroyed by fire which ripped through the building yesterday.

Firefighters from Settle, Bentham, Grassington, Morecambe and Skipton attended the residential farm house split into three properties at Cowside Farm, Langcliffe.

The blaze is believed to have broken out at around 10.30am.

Fire crews used two major jets, an aerial ladder platform and two breathing apparatus and remained at the property after the fire was extinguished to dampen down hot spots in the area.

Ian McKenna, whose family lives in a house within a cluster of buildings adjoining the fire damaged house, said it was terrifying.

"My wife, a teacher, was at work and both children were at school at the time, fortunately, but my nine dogs were in the house and I had to get them out and put them in my bungalow at the Old Dairy and ring the fire service.

"The smoke was black and acrid and you couldn't see a thing in the drive. You couldn't see anyone standing six feet in front of you it was that bad. It did clear eventually.

"What looked to start with as being a fairly small fire, turned a lot worse quickly. It was fast and furious and the next thing the roof was in.

"All the other buildings are badly smoke damaged. They are unlivable."

Mr McKenna said the elderly homeowner whose house was destroyed was out at the time.

Another neighbour who has cats managed to rescue two but a third was found by firefighters suffering from smoke damage and it currently being treated at the vets.

An investigation into the cause of the blaze is continuing.