A couple were rescued from a house fire that blew out an upstairs window of the property. Neighbours reported hearing a "loud bang" as the blaze raged and said they initially thought it was a gunshot.
People living near the house said they were woken by the noise early on Thursday (January 26). Firefighters were called to the fire at 6.10am and arrived at the scene five minutes later.
Paramedics also attended, with police sealing off a section of the street. It was later confirmed a couple in their 50s were helped from the property on Quernmore Road in Kirkby, the Liverpool Echo reports.
One man said he was walking to a shop to buy sugar when he saw smoke billowing above the rooftops of nearby houses. As he made his way around the corner, he said he saw "the fire blazing" out of the upstairs window.
One woman, who did not want to be named, said she woke her children up and brought them downstairs after hearing the sound of a loud bang. She said: "I just saw a bright pink light and heard a big bang.
"I got the kids downstairs because I wasn't sure if it was going to blow again or not. I sat the kids in the hall. When I've come outside the guy that lives there was already outside - he was distraught obviously."
Another woman, who lives nearby, said: "We heard the bang, I thought it was a gunshot. I was lying in bed and two minutes later I heard sirens. I looked out and one fire engine was already here and then a load more arrived.
"To be honest I'm just glad they got out because the smoke was billowing. As soon as we came out we were watching [the firefighters] trying to connect the hose."
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service said firefighters found a fire on the first floor of a property and entered the house to start a search. The two people inside were taken to hospital.
The fire was out by 7.03am. An investigation into the cause of the fire is now underway. Merseyside Police said in a statement: "We received a report at around 6.30am of a fire at a property on Quernmore Road and we attended to assist Merseyside Fire and Rescue. Two people aged in their 50s have been taken to hospital.
"We remain at the scene and enquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire."
