A serious fire broke out in Middlesbrough in the early hours of this morning.

Cleveland Fire Brigade have been in attendance at a serious house fire in Limetrees Close in the Port Clarence area of Middlesbrough.

The fire brigade was called at 4.57am this morning and stood down at around 7.30am.

There was 100 per cent fire damage to the stairwell and first floor and 75 per cent smoke damage to ground floor.

Four fire engines attended with two from Stockton, one from Billinghham and one from Saltburn.

Two casualties, a man and a woman, were taken to James Cook University Hospital by an ambulance with injuries.

Three double crewed ambulances and a specialist paramedic attended and assessed one person at the scene.

Three pumps and an aerial ladder platform attended, three jets, two breathing apparatus, a positive pressure ventilation fan and thermal imaging camera was in use.

Police and Fire Brigade colleagues remain at the scene and inquiries to establish the circumstances and cause of the blaze are ongoing.

It has been reported that Port Clarence Road is closed from the traffic lights at Hope Street through to Seaton Carew Road due to the fire.