THREE people were taken to hospital after a bedroom fire was sparked by a cooling fan.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the blaze at the house near Longton Lane, Rainhill on Thursday evening.

The three casualties were taken to Whiston Hospital by ambulance for treatment for smoke inhalation.

Station Manager Chris Head said: “The investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing but it appears this fire involved an electric, free standing cooling fan in a bedroom.

“Smoke alarms activated and it is thought an occupier tried to extinguish the small fire with powder extinguishers. Firefighters made sure the fire was fully extinguished when they arrived.

“We advise people have working smoke alarms on each level of their home.”