Two women rescued from a flat fire in Harborough

Two women were rushed to hospital after being rescued from a flat fire in Market Harborough on Saturday night.

They were rescued by firefighters just after 6pm after the blaze broke out at the first-floor flat of Kings Court on Kings Road.

The women were given emergency treatment by paramedics on the spot after breathing in smoke before being taken to hospital by ambulance.

The drama started at the town centre flats after the fire was sparked by an electrical fault in a consumer unit in the lobby area.

Some 12 firefighters from Market Harborough, Wigston and Desborough raced to the scene to tackle the flames.

They had to use powerful fans to clear thick smoke and fumes generated by the fierce fire.

Residents throughout the block have had to be temporarily re-housed as extensive smoke damage to the battered building is repaired.