A woman has been killed in a tragic house fire while several children have also been injured. The devastating fire broke out on the top floor of a property in Hill Street, Blackpool, in the early hours of Wednesday (July 6).
Several people managed to escape before emergency services arrived shortly before 12.50am. A woman in her 40s was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital.
She has since died from her injuries, Lancs Live reports. A number of others were also taken to hospital, including a man in his 50s who remains in a serious condition.
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Three others aged 26, 13 and 16 are not believed to be in a life-threatening condition. Another child at the property, aged 15, was not injured. The blaze is not currently being treated as suspicious, but an investigation into its cause is currently underway.
A police spokesperson said: "We were called to Hill Street in the resort at 12.49am today to reports of a fire in the top floor of a property. A number of people managed to escape the property before emergency services arrived.
"A woman in her 40s was treated at the scene but despite the best efforts of the emergency services, she was sadly pronounced deceased at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this time.
"A man in his 50s was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition. Three others aged 26, 13 and 16 were also taken to hospital. Their condition is not described as life threatening. Another child aged 15 was uninjured.
"A joint investigation between the police and fire service is underway to establish the cause of the fire but at this time it is not being treated as suspicious."
A North West Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "All five patients were taken to hospital."
A LFRS spokesperson said: "At 00:50 on the 6th July 2022, six fire engines from Blackpool, Bispham, St Annes, Fulwood and South Shore along with the drone team and the aerial ladder platform from Preston attended an incident on Hill Street, Blackpool. The incident involved a fire at a domestic property.
"Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used two hose reels to bring the fire under control. The incident has since been reduced to four fire engines and the aerial ladder platform.
"Firefighters are damping down and extinguishing any further hotspots. Five casualties were treated by North West Ambulance Service.
"Several neighbouring properties have been evacuated. We are working with Lancashire Police, North West Ambulance Service and the local authority in a multi-agency response to this incident.
"Update 10:00am: This incident has now been reduced to two fire engines with firefighters continuing to check the area for hotspots. A joint investigation into the cause of the fire will take place with Lancashire Police.
"Crews will remain in attendance for several hours. Please avoid the area. Hill Street is currently closed."
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 0059 of July 6, 2022.
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