Two go to hospital after Brierley Hill blaze
Two people went to hospital after a fire in a first floor flat in Brierley Hill.
Fire crews were called to the three-storey converted house in Stourbridge Road, Holly Hall, at around 8pm last night.
Residents heard a loud bang as the windows of the flat blew out by the force of the blaze.
Six firefighters using breathing apparatus entered the flat to fight the flames which engulfed half of the flat.
All of the home was affected by thick smoke in the aftermath of the blaze.
Three people at the flat had managed to get outside by the time paramedics arrived.
Two people made their own way to Russells Hall Hospital to have a check up after due to smoke inhalation but the other person did not require further treatment.
The upstairs rooms of the property were severely damaged, while charred furniture and other household items were left strewn across the ground outside.
Neighbouring terraced houses were evacuated over fears the flames and smoke could spread.
Mandy West, aged 24, who lives a few doors down, said: "The lady behind us said there was an explosion and the windows blew out. You don't expect it to happen on your doorstep.
"I know one person who lives there, he wasn't very happy. He was shook up because his house had gone."
Crews from Brierley Hill, Haden Cross, Dudley and Oldbury, were sent to the scene.
The road was partially blocked in the wake of the blaze while emergency services were on scene.
