Four rescued from blaze at Edinburgh flats

THREE adults and a child were rescued by firefighters using ladders after a blaze broke out in a block of flats.

Eight other people managed to escape by themselves.

Two people were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary suffering from smoke inhalation and 10 others were treated at the scene by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Firefighters were called to the flats in Rankeillor Street in the Newington area of Edinburgh just after 11pm last night after receiving the first of six 999 calls.

When they arrived they found a large volume of smoke coming from a fire which spread to an adjoining property in Rankeillor Street, a dentist's surgery, and to properties in Clerk Street.

At the height of the incident, more than 40 firefighters were at the scene tackling the blaze, which started in a stairwell.

It was under control by 2am but five firefighters were still at the scene at 7am.

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue has launched an investigation.