A flat in North Yorkshire has been almost completely destroyed in a fire.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service sent crews from Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon and Tadcaster to the fire in Harrogate at 1.12pm today (September 4).

They said the fire was in the loft of an apartment in a four-story building.

"Crews gained access to the loft, located the fire and extinguished," a spokesperson for the fire service. 

"Crews cut away plaster board and beams to check for hot spots.

"Crews ventilated the property and used the ariel ladder platform to carry out an external inspection.

"The fire was believed to be caused by a fire hood of a down light that had been knocked, resulting in a pillow in the loft catching fire, and spreading to the loft space."

Once extinguished, the fire service said that it resulted in 90 per cent fire damage to the loft, 30 per cent fire damage to the hallway, and 100 per cent smoke damage to the flat.