Watch: Damage suffered to Cradley Heath home after 'severe' fire which saw man taken to hospital

One man had left the property before their arrival and is believed to have been taken to hospital by paramedics after suffering burns, a West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said.

The blaze is said to have affected the entire property, with neighbours evacuated from their homes.

The fire service spokesman added: "This was a severe fire on the ground and first floor of a two-storey semi-detached house.

"...Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used three hose reels to extinguish the fire, which affected the entire property.

"Residents in two neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution."

Fire investigators believe the blaze was started accidentally.

Fire crews left the scene just before 10.15pm. They revisited the property twice overnight and discovered no further hotspots.

Pictures taken by the Express & Star show damage to the front and back of the property, with firefighters still working at the home on Friday morning.

A green rubbish bin located near to the house meanwhile appears to have melted as a result of the blaze.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman confirmed a man discovered at the scene of the fire suffered "serious injuries".

A statement read: "We were called by fire colleagues to a property fire on Sylvia Pankhurst Close in Cradley Heath at around 5pm.

"An ambulance was sent to the scene where, on arrival, crews found a man. He was treated for serious injuries and conveyed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital."