Three people taken to hospital with burns after Sunderland house blaze

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service say they were called to a property in Rainton Street, in Millfield, Sunderland.

Neighbours said a woman and children had been inside. Three people were later taken to hospital with injuries ‘consistent with burns’.

A terraced cottage on the corner of Rainton Street and Hylton Street has been damaged.

It is believed the fire started at around 10.30am.

A spokeswoman for the North East Ambulance Service said: "We were called to a private address on Rainton Street in Sunderland to a house fire.

“We dispatched three double crewed ambulances and one of our hazardous area response teams.

“We transported three patients to Sunderland Royal Hospital with injuries consistent with burns."

One local resident, Ted Lewis, 59, said: “It has blown the windows through. There were people inside. I hope everyone is ok.

“There was an explosion, it was a hell of a bang.”

A spokesperson for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said “ Shortly before 10.38am this morning we attended a house fire in the Millfield area of Sunderland, where a ground floor bedroom was 100% severely damaged by fire. Crews from Sunderland Central and Farringdon were in attendance”.

Northumbria Police and the North East Ambulance Service have also been at the scene. A cordon has been put in place around the damaged property.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "Shortly after 11.30am today, we received a call from the fire brigade who requested police assistance at a fire on Rainton Street, Sunderland.

"Emergency services are at the scene and inquiries are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.”