Twenty eight people were rescued while a further two evacuated themselves after fire broke out at a block of flats.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said families could not leave their homes due to thick smoke in the communal building at Aquila Drive at Sherford, Devon early on Friday.

The service said the fire was confined to the stairwell but other parts of the building suffered smoke damage.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

Fire crews were called at 2:20 BST on Friday. All those rescued were assessed by ambulance crews for the effects of smoke inhalation, with some given treatment, the service added.