Blaze rips through three-storey flat

Firefighters remain at the scene of a fire on Stafford Street, Walsall

A blaze has ripped through a three-storey block of flats.

Thick white smoke could be seen billowing from the roof of the building on Stafford Street in Walsall in the early hours.

A 45-strong crew of firefighters arrived on the scene at about 04:50 BST to bring the flames under control before scaling down the response team to six fire engines.

Two people were sent to Walsall Manor Hospital for treatment. Their condition is not yet known.

The fire service said the second floor and roof were affected by the blaze.

Stafford Street, Short Acre Street and Portland Street remain closed while crews continue to work at the scene, it added.