More than 30 residents had to flee a sheltered housing complex after a fire broke out in one of the flats.

As the drama unfolded, two people had to be rescued by ladder from upper-floor flats at the building in North Lanarkshire.

Strathclyde Fire & Rescue service were called to the incident at the two-storey building in Unitas Court, Bellshill at around 8.15pm last night.

A total of 40 firefighters from Bellshill, Hamilton and Coatbridge tackled the blaze and.

A fire service spokesman said a total of 31 residents had to be evacuated and moved to temporary accommodation.

He said paramedics at the scene attended to those affected by the blaze, and he confirmed: "Two people were taken to hospital suffering from cuts and bruises."

A fire service spokesman said the blaze started on the ground-floor in the complex and that an investigation into the cause of the fire will be held jointly with police today.

Fire crews had arrived to face a well-developed blaze in a ground-floor flat.

Firefighters used breathing apparatus as they entered the affected wing of the complex to rescue residents and control the flames.

Eight firefighters battled through heat and dense smoke to search the complex.

As well as the two rescued by firefighters on ladders, several more were led to safety as the blaze raged.

At one stage it was feared several people may have needed rescuing and so back up fire crews were called in.

Residents were moved from their flats to a safe zone in another wing of the complex.

The residents received precautionary check ups at the scene by paramedics and the two people taken to hospital suffered only minor injuries.

The fire had a major impact on one wing of the complex and the residents of the 16 flats have been moved to temporary accommodation.

This morning, a spokeswoman for North Lanarkshire Coun- cil, which runs the complex, said most residents were able to get back to their flats today.

The spokeswoman added: "Residents were evacuated to a day room during the incident and two people were taken to hospital.

"Three people were taken to nearby Muirpark Home, while the rest were either returned to their flats or went to stay with relatives overnight.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by police and fire authorities.

deborah.anderson@ eveningtimes.co.uk

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