TWO people were taken to hospital following a house fire in Atherton last Wednesday night.

Firefighters from Atherton, Hindley and Leigh tackled the blaze on Devonshire Road at around midnight.

They used breathing apparatus and a hose reel jet to put out the fire and an investigation has found that it started in the kitchen after discarded smoking materials had spread to rubbish.

Two people had vacated the burning building by the time the fire crews arrived.

They were treated by paramedics and taken to hospital.

The kitchen and living room were badly damaged and firefighters were at the scene for just over an hour.