TWO people were taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation following a fire at a 25-floor block of flats yesterday.

Firefighters, who were called to a blaze on the eighth floor of Shieldfield House, in the East End of Newcastle, evacuated a number of residents, including some in wheelchairs.

Fire brigade divisional officer Kevin Hepple said: "The fire could have been much more serious had it not been tackled so efficiently and effectively by the crews.

"This incident involved all the emergency services, who worked very closely together to deal with the incident."

At the height of the fire, which was reported at noon, nine appliances and 30 firefighters, as well as paramedic crews and police officers, attended the incident.

A Newcastle City Council spokesman said seven people had to be provided with emergency accommodation.