A man and child were hurt as they fled a fire in a terraced house with neighbours rushing to their aid.
Neighbours ran into the streets to help after a home on Burrish Street in Droitwich went up in flames.
A man in his 40s was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham with serious injuries while a child with minor injuries was assessed at the scene by paramedics.
Stuart Hughes, who lives just a few doors down from the house, has shared how residents came to the rescue.
“Everybody looks out for one another, so things like this are a big concern,” he said.
“It was nothing particularly heroic but myself and a few neighbours made sure that those living either side had come out of their homes.
“We all know each other down here, it is a big community in the old part of Droitwich.”
LIVE UPDATES: Firefighters battle 'severe' house blaze in Droitwich
Five Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue services crews – two from Worcester, two from Droitwich and one from Bromsgrove – and the incident command unit from Wyre Forest were called to the scene at 2.58pm on Friday (March 17).
Mr Hughes scrambled to help when he saw black smoke pouring from the home.
He said: “I was in my garden when I noticed a smell and you could tell something was a bit different.
“Then I noticed the smoking getting blacker and blacker.
“So, I scrambled my shoes on and ran up to see what was going on, I got there as quick as I could.
“I was scared. I did start fearing the worst and thought I might have to run inside to help.”
Fellow Burrish Street resident June Tuck added: “They say bad things happen to nice people and it couldn’t be more true, they are such a lovely family.
“There was so much black smoke flying into the air.
“Nothing like this has happened here before.”
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A team of four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hosereel jets to extinguish the flames.
Police and ambulance crews were also in attendance.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “One ambulance and a paramedic officer were sent to the scene where, on arrivals, crews discovered two patients.
“One man was treated for serious injuries by ambulance crews before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further treatment.
“A child was assessed for minor injuries by medics before being discharged at the scene.”
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