FIREFIGHTERS feared people were trapped inside after a fire in a house.

A blaze spread through a house in Barrow town centre in the early hours of yesterday morning after a fire broke out in the kitchen.

Three crews were called to the scene in Manchester Street just after midnight, with fears people were still inside.

When fire crews got there they found residents had evacuated themselves from the house.

One person was checked over by paramedics for smoke inhalation.

Jon Griffiths, group manager for Cumbria Fire and Rescue, was on duty at the time.

He said: “The caller stated they didn’t know whether the people were inside or not when they reported the fire.

“It was a fire in an oven in the kitchen."

He added: "Firefighters used two breathing apparatus, one hose reel, a thermal imaging camera and a positive pressure ventilation fan to clear smoke and extinguish the fire.

“One person evacuated the premise prior to fire service arrival and was assessed by paramedics from the North West Ambulance Service.”

Mr Griffiths said it was usual for two fire engines to attend a house fire but for an extra crew to join them if people were reported as being inside.

“For a property with persons reported we send an extra appliance,” he said.

Fire crews were out in Barrow at the weekend to put out a woodland fire.

A blaze broke out behind Vulcan Road, with firefighters running hoses through peoples' gardens to get to the fire.