A FAMILY OF three – including a baby girl – are in a critical condition in hospital after a fire at house in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast last night.

They were rescued from the upstairs of the property on Jamaica Street shortly before midnight.

An investigation is under way, and the PSNI is appealing for information.

“At approximately 11.55pm Police received a report that a house was on fire in the Jamaica Street area of Belfast. Police, NIFRS and NIAS were in attendance at the scene,” Inspector Paul Noble said.

“Two adults (a male and female) and a female baby have been taken to hospital for treatment to their injuries.”

The BBC reports that the alarm was raised by a taxi driver, and that 20 firefighters and three ambulances were at the scene within minutes.

The street was filled with thick white smoke, neighbours told reporters.

Sinn Féin Councillor Gerry McCabe said that the local community was in shock at the news.

“While it is too early to indicate the cause of the fire it is my understanding that it was the quick actions of local people and the fire brigade in tackling this fire that led to people being rescued from the blaze,” McCabe said.

We are all praying that those in hospital do make a speedy recovery.

UTV quoted local fire service commander William Johnston as saying there had been no fire alarm in the property –  which led to a delay in the alarm being raised.

“It is vitally important people have fire alarms in their home – they can be a life saver,” Johnston said.

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