LISTEN: Residents rescued from fourth floor of burning flats in north Belfast

By Brett Campbell

Two residents have been rescued from a fourth floor flat during a fire in north Belfast after a mobile phone was left charging overnight. 

Around 20 people were evactuated from the residential property on Flax Street in Ardoyne after the fire broke out around 5.30am this morning.  

Four of them - including the two who were pulled from the building by firefighters - sustained minor burns.

They're being treated in hospital for smoke inhalation and shock.

Councillor JJ Magee has praised the quick response of emergency services.  

Councillor Paul McCusker said the four people taken to hospital lived in the same flat which has been completely destroyed. 

He says they're lucky to be alive.

A Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) spokesman said: "NIFRS responded to reports of a flat on fire on the fourth floor of a residential building on Flax Street, Belfast.

"On arrival, crews identified that a number of people were trapped by smoke on the fourth floor.

"They quickly rescued two people with an aerial appliance from outside of the building, and a further two people managed to self-rescue.

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus evacuated eight people and extinguished the fire in the flat.

"At this stage the fire is believed to have been caused by a mobile device being left on charge overnight; however, further investigation will take place.

"The four people who were in the flat have all been taken to hospital suffering from burns, smoke inhalation and shock."