TWO men were taken to hospital after a fire swept through a hotel in Preston.

Police and firefighters were called to the Essex Hotel, Fishergate Hill, at around 1.50am, on Tuesday, March 4, and 14 residents were evacuated from the building.

Two men, suffering from smoke inhalation, were taken to the Royal Preston Hospital, after the fire broke out in the basement. Police are treating the blaze as suspicious.

The fire in a basement dining room flat at the hotel damaged the contents and room. The remainder of the flat was damaged by heat and smoke and three further floors were also damaged by smoke.

There were no further injuries.