INVESTIGATION AS TWO PEOPLE SERIOUSLY HURT IN FIRE

A joint police and fire investigation has been launched after two people were seriously injured in a flat fire in Derbyshire.

Police and firefighters were called to Hallam Court, in Ilkeston, at about 17:45 BST Saturday, said the emergency services.

Derbyshire Police said a man in his 20s and a woman in her 50s were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

A cordon remained in place on Sunday while police officers and firefighters investigated the cause.

A police spokeswoman said: "Residents will see an increased police presence in the area while investigations continue."

Derbyshire Fire Service added the fire was in a ground floor flat.

A spokeswoman said: "On arrival at the property, fire crews were faced with a well-developed fire in the living room.

"Two occupants, one male and one female, had self-evacuated from the flat - both were taken to hospital with serious injuries."

The service added that firefighters evacuated residents from surrounding properties, and they had since returned to their homes.

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