MORE than a dozen properties were evacuated after firefighters battled a serious blaze in Barrow.

Several properties have been deemed 'uninhabitable' after a fire broke out in Salthouse Road just before 5pm yesterday evening (June 22).

Crews from across Cumbria were called to the incident which affected multiple properties at the intersection of Salthouse Road and Marsh Street.

At the height of the fire, eight properties were affected, and a total of 13 properties were evacuated for the residents' safety.

Three children and two adults had self-evacuated from one of the properties prior to the arrival of the fire service. Because this incident required a multi-agency response, a major incident was declared at around 7pm.

Teams of firefighters battled the fire, which had spread to neighbouring properties and rendered several of them uninhabitable.

The incident has been scaled back but crews are still on the scene to dampen down and prevent a re-ignition. Fire investigators have arrived on the scene but have been unable to gain access, due to the structural integrity of several of the properties.

A spokesman for Cumbria Fire and Rescue said that investigations, dampening, and structural reviews are expected to continue throughout today.