A MAN has been hospitalised with burns following a shed fire in Hitchin on Saturday after reportedly “trying to rescue his chickens”.

Two fire engines from Hitchin attended the blaze at a property in Bearton Road after receiving the call at 9.45pm.

A paramedic response car from Letchworth GC also attended the scene.

Ambulance service spokesman Gary Sanderson said: “We believe the man was trying to rescue his chickens which were trapped in the fire when he sustained burns to his hands.

“Following treatment by a paramedic, he was taken to the Lister Hospital in Stevenage.”

The cause of the fire, which had been put out by 10.16pm, is not yet known.