AN investigation is underway after two men had to be rescued by firefighters from a blaze at a village shop and upstairs flat.

Emergency services were called to Attwood Terrace, in Tudhoe Colliery, near Spennymoor, shortly after 7pm last night (Sunday, November 18).

Firefighters entered a convenience store and the flat above it to pull two men to safety before they were taken by ambulance to hospital.

At the height of the incident County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service had five appliances at the scene.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property to extinguish the flames and specialist fans were used to pump cold air into the building to clear the heavy smoke.

Gas and electricity supplies to the premises were cut off and the road was blocked by police to allow emergency services to deal with the incident, which concluded at around 10.10pm.

 

A fire crew will return to the scene early this morning to check the building is safe.

Group manager Rob Turnbull said: "There was a significant fire on the ground floor which had spread to the first floor with smoke damage. The neighbour properties were not affected.

"A crew will probably be back in the early hours to make sure it hasn't spread.

"A fire investigation officer attended the scene and will be there on Monday to begin an investigation into the incident, in liaison with police."