Four people rescued after blaze in Telford

Two women have been taken to hospital after a fire at a sheltered housing complex in Shropshire.

Both breathed in smoke and one suffered burns to her shoulders in the fire at the Chilcott Gardens, Chilcott Drive, Telford, at about 0245 BST.

The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, which runs the complex, said their condition was being monitored by staff but was not thought to be life-threatening.

Two other people were rescued, while 14 residents were led to safety.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said 30 firefighters attended the fire, which started in a flat on the top floor of the three-storey building.

The cause is being investigated.

'Lives were saved'

Richard Tower, of ExtraCare, said: "Our primary concern is for the welfare of the residents who have been admitted to hospital and our staff are monitoring the situation continuously."

He said alternative accommodation had been found for residents in two apartments which were damaged.

Senior fire officer John Das Gupta praised crews for their bravery.

"I want to pay tribute to the firefighters and incident commanders whose initial reaction, decision making and effective deployment of crews, meant that lives were saved," he said.

"They were faced with 20 residents unaccounted for and with black, acrid smoke pouring out of the effected part of the building. A lot of residents were still in their rooms."

He said a smoke alarm at Chilcott Gardens had also helped save the residents.