FIREFIGHTERS risked their own lives in a dramatic rescue after a fire at a Barrow takeaway.

The Barrow fire crew was called to La Pizzeria in Lesh Lane, Barrow, at just after 1am this morning.

A fire had started in the chipper and fears had been raised that a person could still be inside.

As the first crew on arrival, and awaiting the arrival of two other fire engines from Ulverston, two firefighters from Barrow adopted a "rapid deployment" procedure and sent two crew members inside.

The fire had spread inside the extraction unit and flames were seen coming out of the back of the property.

The firefighters ascertained there was no-one inside and the fire was extinguished.

All three crews, as well as Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service's commander for the South, Stuart Dolan, were at the scene for two hours.

Mr Dolan said after the incident: "If there is a situation where there is potentially a saveable life, or there is a person missing, we use rapid deployment."

Paramedics and police were also in attendance.