Fire crews called to serious blaze at flat in Blackpool

Fire crews arrived to find a man standing outside his flat which was on fire with smoke spreading around the communal areas of the property.

They extinguished the fire using a hose-reel and rescued a woman from a flat above the fire who was suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

Fire services say the fire was caused by unattended tea light candles which are thought to have set fire to a sofa.

Watch Manager Mark Warwick said: "We would advise people not to use candles or tea lights inside a property unless there is a specific need for them. Tea lights and candles should never be left unattended."

Two patients to Blackpool Victoria by road ambulance suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

The fire is being treated as accidental.