Couple rescued from burning flats

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Firefighters have rescued a young couple from a blaze at a block of flats in the Lenadoon area of west Belfast.

The fire began in a first-floor flat at Carrigart Avenue at about 0200 GMT, and neighbouring apartments were evacuated.

The pair were trapped in a top-storey maisonette, and fire crews used a hydraulic platform to bring them down from the balcony to safety.

A 23-year-old man and his 19-year-old girlfriend were treated at the scene for the effects of breathing in smoke.

Area commander Jim McCallum said the couple were lucky to escape with their lives.

"Obviously there was quite a bit of heat and smoke coming up from the fire which they were exposed to," he said.

"Fortunately we were able to talk to them on the telephone to reassure them and tell them how to keep safe, while we got our equipment to work."