Four people have been rescued and taken to hospital this morning (Thursday) following a fire.

Emergency services were called to Coleridge Close, Hitchin, at 2.35am to reports of a house fire.

On arrival crews found the fire in the ground floor of the house.

Two females and two males had to be taken to Lister Hospital for treatment.

One of the men, in his 60s, suffered head injuries and burns to his head.

Another person suffered serious smoke inhalation, with two other casualties suffering minor smoke inhalation.

Crews from Hitchin, Stevenage, Baldock and Letchworth GC attended the scene.

The fire was put out by 3.19am.

The fire has been recorded as deliberate or doubtful and a fire investigation is underway.

Police have cordoned off the scene and will be assisting the fire service in their investigations.