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of the British Broadcasting Corporation






 

Wednesday, 2 February, 2005, 10:34 GMT
Firefighters killed in flat blaze

The block of flats in Stevenage
About 70 people were cleared from the building
Two firefighters who died in a blaze at a 17-storey block of flats are believed to have been trying to save someone trapped by the fire.

A third person also died in the fire which started at 0300 GMT at Harrow Court, in Silam Road, Stevenage, Herts.

Seven other people were taken to hospital. One of those is said to be in a critical condition. They are being treated for burns and smoke inhalation.

About 70 people were cleared from the building, Hertfordshire Police said.

Person trapped

The fire started in a flat on the 14th floor and quickly spread to the floor above on Wednesday.

The injured people have been taken to Lister Hospital in Stevenage.

BBC Look East reporter Nikki Jenkins said the fire was out by 1015 GMT.

She told BBC News that when the firefighters arrived at the scene they found that someone was trapped in the fire.

"That seems to be why the two firefighters lost their lives," she said.