AN investigation is under way after a man had to be rescued from a burning house.

Fire crews were called to the house, in Aire Street, South Bank, Middlesbrough, by a man aged about 25 to 30, who had managed to escape.

Another man of about the same age was trapped on the first floor, and firefighters had to go inside to rescue him.

The man was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. Station officer Keith Tennant said it is unclear why the men were in the house which had been empty.

He said a police investigation into the fire, at about 4.20am yesterday, is under way.