Men saved from burning flat in Derry

Two men were rescued from a burning flat today in Co Derry.

Firefighters said the four-storey building on Main St, Limavady was fitted with a smoke alarm but it failed to go off.

Five people managed to make their own way out before crews arrived, shortly before 1am, but experts warned lives could have been lost.

Station Commander Willie Campbell said: “It was a lucky escape as the fire was spotted early and people were able to evacuate the building.”

He said the blaze highlighted the importance of ensuring smoke alarms are fitted with working batteries.

The cause is still under investigation.

It is understood all seven people involved in the incident were Eastern Europeans.