A tumble dryer could have been the source of a house fire which resulted in firefighters carrying out a dramatic rescue.

Crews arrived at the fire in Whitehaven last night to see thick smoke billowing from the windows, and a female stranded on the flat roof above the front door.

Three other people were trapped inside the Esk Avenue property - including a teenager, and four-year-old boy who was found cowering on the floor of a smoke-filled bedroom.

Station manager Will Richardson said: "En route to the scene, fire control confirmed that there was persons trapped, and they were giving life-saving advice over the phone as crews arrived.

"It was a dramatic scene."

As one crew grabbed the ladder to rescue the woman stuck on the ledge, two firefighters in breathing apparatus burst through the back door to the kitchen - where the fire was.

"They extinguished the fire in the kitchen," said Mr Richardson, "and then rescued one man from downstairs.

"The man had been trying to fight the fire and was led from the property.

"The crew then searched the building upstairs and found two occupants - one a child under five. They were on the floor of a bedroom, trying to keep away from the smoke."

One of those trapped is understood to have been a teenager, but it is unclear where they were rescued from.

All four occupants were suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation. They were treated at the scene before being taken to the West Cumberland Hospital by ambulance.

The station manager said their condition is unknown, but was not believed to be life-threatening.

Mr Richardson continued: "Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, but it is believed to be a tumble dryer fire.

"There's been a series of these tumble dryer fires around the country, and our message is to never leave a tumble dryer unattended. That is, don't put it on and go out or, in this case, put it on and go to bed."

Firefighters are also reminding people of the importance of checking your smoke alarm weekly, as early investigations suggest those in this property may not have been working.

The fire broke out at about 10.50pm yesterday. Crews from Whitehaven, Egremont and Frizington all attended.

A Cumbria Police spokeswoman confirmed they were called by the fire service to assist.