Huge fire rips through Coatbridge flats as six casualties rescued from tower block

Six people have been rescued after a huge fire ripped through a top floor flat at a tower block in Coatbridge.

Fourteen Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews raced to High Coats flats on Coats Street in Coatbridge where a blaze broke out at 1.30pm on July 1.

Emergency teams worked with height vehicles to rescue casualties from the residential building. Six people were handed over to the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Their conditions are unknown.

Shocking images show flames engulfing the top of the residential building. Thick grey smoke can be seen billowing into the air.

Nine fire engines are currently at the scene.

The Scottish Ambulance Service are also in attendance and it is unknown if there are any casualties.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were alerted at 1.29pm on Monday, 1 July to reports of a fire within a flat on the top floor of a multi-story building, Highcoats, Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire.

"Operations Control mobilised a total of 14 fire appliances, including specialist and height vehicles, to the scene and firefighters have now extinguished the flames and are working to make the area safe.

"Six casualties were rescued from the building using fire hoods and handed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

"Crews will remain in attendance for some time."

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