A 70-YEAR OLD woman has been taken to hospital with serious injuries following a fire at a high-rise block of flats in Blackburn.

Firefighters, police and paramedics were called to the fire on the seventh floor of the Bowland House flats in Primrose Bank, Blackburn, at around 7pm last night.

Police have not yet released the name of the woman but confirmed she is in hospital in a serious condition.

The cause of the fire is under investigation but officers have said it was contained to one flat.

Sarah Suhail, who lives opposite the block of flats, filmed the incident after she heard the commotion while she was sat with her family in her living room.

She said: "I was watching TV with my family and suddenly I heard fire alarms everywhere.

"I went outside to see the flats which has smoke coming out of them.

"I was really shocked and fearful. I made a video and shared the incident with my friends and family.

"The scene was very disturbing. I really hope the ones injured are okay."

Two other people suffered minor injuries. Several road closures were put in place to allow the emergency services to carry out their work.

Police remained at the scene this morning and fire investigation will be attending later today to ascertain the cause of the fire, which is not thought to be suspicious. 

James Smith who lives in the flat next door to where the fire broke out said: "I've lived here for four years and say hello to the lady next door whenever I see her.

"I don't know her very well but she seems like a nice lady, keeps herself to herself.

"It was quite scary last night, the fire service were here very quickly though and they banged on my door and said I had to leave the flat.

"I was worried the fire was going to spread to my flat but luckily it didn't, there was only a bit of smoke.

"I hope the lady is ok."

Crews arrived at the scene within minutes and a fire service spokesman said the fire protection measures had been working as they should have been, which ensured the fire was only contained to one property, and the alarms in the block of flats had actuated as would have been expected.

Inspector Craig Kelshaw said: "We were called to a fire in Bowland House flats, Blackburn, at 7pm last night.

"There was a fire contained in one of the flats which was under control by the fire service when we arrived.

"One person was taken to hospital with significant injuries. She is in a serious condition. Two other people have suffered minor smoke inhalation.

"It is unclear how the fire started at this stage and an investigation has been launched."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 1172 of December 18.