TEN people required hospital treatment after a fire broke out in a lift shaft at a 17-storey block of flats in Layton, Blackpool.

Firefighters and eight fire engines were called to Ashworth Court, Queens Park, Layton, on Wednesday, April 24 where they located and extinguished the fire in the ground floor lift shaft.

"Several people had to be led to safety by fire officers after they were overcome with smoke on the staircases," said Martin Donnelly, assistant divisional officer of Blackpool Fire and Rescue Service.

Eight of those, including two senior citizens and two infants were detained in hospital overnight.

The police suspect arson after studying CCTV footage which showed a group of youths in the lift shortly before the fire broke out.

"We are anxious to interview these juveniles and are conducting house to house enquires in the Ashworth Court area," said DI Pat Gill of Blackpool CID.

"This was potentially a very serious incident which could have had tragic consequences. Had it not been for the rapid response of the fire service there could have been loss of life."