Seven taken to hospital after blaze

TWO children and five adults were taken to hospital after a blaze at a tenement in Leith in the early hours of this morning.

Around 20 people were rescued by fire crews after the blaze broke out around 2.20am at the 3rd floor flat in Queen Charlotte Street. Crews were still on the scene around 7am.

Six firefighters with breathing apparatus entered the building as others used a hose reel and turntable to prevent the fire spreading to the roof.

The injuredwere among 13 adults and seven children rescued by fire crews. The two children were taken to the Sick Kids Hospital while the adults were taken to the ERI.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said five vehicles and a rapid response unit were involved during the incident.

He added: "We conveyed two children to the Sick Kids Hospital and five adults to the ERI. All were conscious and breathing and believed to be suffering from smoke inhalation."

Meanwhile fire crews rescued a 57-year-old man and his 40-year-old female neighbour after a blaze at a flat on Wester Hailes Park. Another neighbour raised the alarm around 3.20am.