A 15-year-old boy is in hospital receiving treatment for burns described as "life-threatening" after a house fire in Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland, today.

The boy was rescued from the home at St Matthew's Terrace, Newbottle, at 2.15pm on Sunday. Police, fire services and paramedics all attended the scene. Another 15-year-old boy suffered minor injuries in the incident.

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said the cause of the fire is not yet clear. Witnesses are asked to call the police with information on 03456-043-043.