TWO men were rushed to hospital with smoke inhalation last night after their ground floor flat was gutted by a fire caused by a candle.

Three fire engines were called to the house - converted into two flats - in Teme Road, Tolladine, Worcester, at 7.42pm last night.

The occupants managed to haul themselves to safety before the crews arrived, and an ambulance took them to Worcester Royal Hospital.

Four firefighters with full breathing apparatus entered the burning building, and, using two hose reel jets, put out the fire.

Both men are believed to be stable and a fire investigation team is now examining the scene.

The blaze is the second serious house fire in Worcester to have been caused by candles this month, after Andrew Green, aged 42, was killed in Sheepscombe Drive, Warndon, on Saturday, April 12.

Workshop fire

FIRE crews had to seal off an area round a burning farm workshop because of flammable gases and the danger of pressurised canisters exploding.

The fire service was notified at around 5pm yesterday, and crews from three different areas attended the blaze at Grange Farm, Wick Road, Little Comberton, near Pershore.

Though the fire was put out, the delicate situation required round the clock surveillance as one crew stayed at the scene overnight to ensure the heated acetylene tools remained stable.

An area around the workshop was cordoned off and there were no injuries as firefighters from Evesham, Pershore and Redditch controlled the situation.