Two killed in Birmingham house blaze

Two people were found dead today and a third was being treated for minor burns after a severe house fire.

West Midlands Fire Service said an investigation had been launched into the cause of the blaze at a semi-detached property in Perry Barr, Birmingham.

Those killed, thought to be a man and a woman, were confirmed dead at the scene in Wensleydale Road after their bodies were found by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.

Fire crews from Aston, Perry Barr and Handsworth attended the incident after an emergency call made at 4.31am.

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said a male had been treated at the scene after attempting to force his way into the building.

Members of the ambulance service's Hazardous Area Response Team were put on stand-by while firefighters went into the property.

The spokesman added: "Unfortunately, the bodies of two people were discovered inside the building.

"A man in his 20s, who had been alerted to the fire and tried to get into the building, was treated for minor burns by ambulance staff.

"He was not injured and did not require hospital treatment."