THREE men leapt from a burning Glasgow tenement following an early morning blaze.

Six people were taken to hospital, including the three three men who jumped from a window to escape the inferno in Pollokshields.

Firefighters were faced with "chaotic" scenes when they arrived at the four-storey building in Albert Drive, at around 2.25am. They discovered a major blaze in the basement of the tenement which was spreading rapidly.

Terrified residents were shouting for help at the windows of their homes on the upper floors as thick black smoke poured into the flats from the fire below.

Another four people were rescued from the building by firefighters using ladders.

Strathclyde Police said three men, aged 32, 60 and 61, jumped from a first-floor window into the back garden.

Two of the men were treated for leg and back injuries at the Victoria Infirmary. Four others were treated for smoke inhalation. Their condition was described as "stable".

Police said six people were also evacuated from a nearby building as a precaution.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said firefighters battled through "intense heat and smoke" to extinguish the blaze..

At the height of the incident, 35 firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue's Assistant Chief Officer Robert Scott said: "Basement fires are notoriously difficult to deal with due to the enclosed nature of the area on fire, and the build-up of heat and smoke."

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said it was not known when residents would be allowed back into the four-storey block.

Building control officers from Glasgow City Council were due to carry out checks on the building later today.

Albert Drive was closed both ways between the Glenapp Street junction and Darnley Street junction and diversions were in place.