Investigation underway after two people taken to hospital following serious house fire

UPDATED: AN investigation is underway after two people were rescued and taken to hospital following a serious house fire during the early hours of this morning at Daresbury.

Shortly before 1 am, five fire crews from Runcorn, Lymm, Warrington, Frodsham and Widnes were called to reports of a large house fire at a property on Delph Lane, Daresbury, with persons reported inside.
On arrival, crews found the detached house well alight on the ground floor. Five fire engines attended along with paramedics.

Two casualties were rescued and taken to hospital. Six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the fire with four hose reel jets. The fire also involved the roof of the property. The was closed by Cheshire Police while the incident was being dealt with.

UPDATE – 09:15
Firefighters have remained at the scene throughout the night. They have been using hose reel jets to damp down and have been tackling hotspots. Housing Control from Halton Borough Council has been asked to attend and the supply company isolated electricity to the property. A fire investigation is underway.

UPDATE – 13:30
Crews remain at the scene and are continuing to tackle any flare-ups and hotspots. Following a structural survey, investigators are able to enter the property to begin a fire investigation. The aerial ladder platform is in use to enable firefighters to remove roof tiles at the front of the building.

A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: “At around 12.50 am on Monday 12 December police were called to reports of a house fire at an address on Delph Lane, Daresbury. Police and fire attended the address and the property was well alight.
“Two people were rescued from the address, a man and a woman, and passed to the care of paramedics. One of the casualties was taken to Whiston Hospital and the second was taken to Warrington Hospital, they are both currently in a critical condition.

“The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental, however Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service are now undertaking a full investigation into the cause of the fire.”