Three people rescued from blaze

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A man and two women have been taken to hospital after being rescued from a fire in Downpatrick.

The blaze was so intense that firefighters were beaten back by smoke and heat.

Two of those rescued were trapped inside a flat, while the third escaped from an adjoining property.

It is understood they are suffering from smoke inhalation. It happened in a flat in Ardlea Park in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A dog died in the incident, said the Fire and Rescue Service.

Firefighters discovered the man and woman on the kitchen floor of the ground floor flat.

Gerry Toman from the service said the three people were lucky to be alive.

The incident took place at about 0520 GMT.