Two people have died after a tragic house fire.
Mercy crews raced to the scene at Woodland Terrace, in Darlington on Saturday morning at around 4.45am. Flames had completely engulfed the ground and first floors of the house by the time they arrived, reports Teeside Live.
One man was rescued from the blaze and transported to a nearby hospital but died later on in the day. A woman was also found inside the property, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A probe has been launched into the blaze to determine the cause and investigation teams clad in wearing white forensic suits were seen carrying out buckets of ash from the property.
Floral tributes have since been left outside the home.
A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said: "On Saturday May 13, 2023 at 4.43am, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service responded to reports of a 'house fire' at Woodland Terrace Darlington.
"Five appliances from Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor attended the incident, along with colleagues from Durham Police and the North East Ambulance Service.
"On arrival, crews were met by a fully developed fire on the ground and first floor of the property. Firefighters, wearing breathing apparatus entered the property and proceeded to conduct a search and extinguish the fire using hose reels.
"One male occupant was rescued from the property by fire service personnel and taken to hospital due to his injuries. Unfortunately one female occupant was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Later that day, the male occupant who was rescued sadly passed away also. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected by this tragic incident.
"A joint fire investigation will take place by fire service and police specialists to ascertain the cause of the fire which is unknown at this time.
"As part of the fire service’s response to this incident, crews from Darlington Fire Station will be working in the local area, providing public reassurance, and conducting free home fire safety visits."
Two ambulances and a Hazardous Area Response Team from the North East Ambulance Service attended the scene.
They transported the man to Newcastle's RVI to be treated for his injuries, but they sadly proved to be fatal.
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called to reports of a fire at a property in Woodland Terrace, Darlington, shortly before 5am on 13 May.
"We dispatched two ambulance crews, one crew from our Hazardous Area Response Team, a clinical team leader and an officer, and requested support from Great North Air Ambulance Service. One patient was taken to the RVI for further treatment."
Durham Constabulary has been approached for comment.
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