A MAN was rushed to hospital after a fire raged through his home early today.

Fire crews were called to the "severe" blaze in Helensburgh, which broke out about 3.20am.

The 42-year-old man fled from the ground floor flat in Old Luss Road after the property went up in flames.

He was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, where he received treatment for "severe burns and smoke inhalation".

He is in a serious condition.

Firefighters wore breathing apparatus as they battled thick smoke and flames to bring the blaze under control.

Group manager McGrath, the incident commander, said: "The fire was well developed and their actions prevented the fire spreading to the other flats in the block."

An investigation is under way into how the fire started, but police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Crews from Helensburgh Community Fire Station remained at the scene dampening down the smouldering building.

A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: "The male occupier had escaped the property before the fire service arrived but he suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation.

"He was rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital by paramedics from the Scottish Ambulance Service."

rebecca.gray@ eveningtimes.co.uk