FIVE people had to be rescued when a shop in Kidderminster went up in flames.
The fire broke out at a card shop in Coventry Street at about 4.45am and quickly spread to neighbouring buildings.
A spokesman for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue said: "We received four telephone calls informing us of a building fire in Coventry Street. We mobilised two appliances from Kidderminster but then received a call for further assistance."
A total of 12 pumps were in attendance during the morning. The fire involved a three-storey terraced shop. The Lion Hotel, which backs on to the property had to be evacuated at about 5.24am after fears the fire could spread further.
The spokesman said: "Five people were rescued from the neighbouring properties by fire service personnel using ladders. One female had to be treated by ambulance crews."
Teams of firefighters wearing breathing apparatus, jets and hoses, plus a hydraulic platform were all used at the scene and the stop message came in at 9am.
An investigation is now under way on the cause of the fire.
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