Investigations: Two people seriously injured in fire

After two people were seriously injured in a house fire in Derbyshire, a joint investigation was launched by the police and fire service.

Police and fire crews were called to Hallam Court in Ilkeston at around 5.45pm CET on Saturday, emergency services said.

Derbyshire Police said a man in his 20s and a woman in her 50s were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The cordon remained in place on Sunday while police and firefighters investigated the cause.

A police spokeswoman said: “Residents will experience an increased police presence in the area while investigations continue.”

Derbyshire Fire Service added that the fire started in a ground floor flat.

A spokeswoman said: “Upon arrival at the scene, firefighters were confronted with a widespread fire in the living room.

“Two residents, a man and a woman, had left the apartment on their own – both were taken to hospital with serious injuries.”

The service added that firefighters had evacuated residents from surrounding buildings and they had now returned to their homes.

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