Passers-by have rescued residents at a row of flats which caught fire in the early hours of the morning.

The fire service was called this morning at about 12.20am to a fire in a shop front on Towngate, Leyland, which has spread into the flat above and was spreading further into the roof.

The fire had also begun to spread into five shops and five flats, with passers-by entering three of the flats to save the people inside.

Seven patients were treated and one person was taken to hospital.

A spokesperson for the ambulance service said: "We sent a significant response: two emergency ambulances, an advanced paramedic, four Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) members, and an on-scene commander to manage to operation."

Group Manager Tom Cookson said: “When we arrived we found the first flat to be well alight and spreading to the roof as well as five other shops and five flats above.

“Prior to the arrival of the fire service, passers-by have entered three of the occupied flat and led the occupants to safety.”

The police closed the road and the fire service asked local residents to close their windows if they could smell smoke.

Firefighters used two breathing apparatus, four hose reels and one main jet while they continue to try extinguish the fire.

The incident had begun with eight engines on the scene but overnight has been reduced to six.

He added: “The cause of the fire will be under investigation, we are liaising with our partners from Lancashire Constabulary, NWAS, the electric utilities and Cadent Gas.”