Three people were rushed to hospital after they were trapped inside a burning property in Ellesmere Port this afternoon.
Five fire engines are currently at the scene in the town centre, along with an aerial appliance.
The fire service were called to reports of the blaze in a residential property on Whitby Road, at 1.19pm today.
The road was closed in both directions while emergency services dealt with the blaze.
At the height of the blaze, thick smoke could be seen billowing from the building.
According to a witness, activity was being concentrated in an area above the shops between Cambridge Road and the railway station.
Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building through one of the shop fronts to fight the fire from inside the building.
Apart from the three people taken to hospital, a fourth was treated at the scene by paramedics.
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All occupants have been accounted for, according to the emergency services.
Heavy traffic is building up in the area as a result of the closure, which has been put in place while crews try to bring the blaze under control.
People are being asked to avoid the area and find an alternative route.
A spokesperson from the fire service said: "At 1.19pm firefighters were called to reports of a fire in a residential property on Whitby Road, Ellesmere Port.
"Three fire engines from Ellesmere Port and Powey Lane attended the scene and on arrival they found a well established fire in a three storey terraced property, with a number of people trapped inside.
"The crews used a 13.5 metre ladder to access the third floor and three people were rescued by firefighters and passed to the care of paramedics."
They continued: "A fourth casualty has also been treated by paramedics at the scene.
"Two further fire engines from Winsford and Lymm, along with an aerial appliance from Lymm, were also called to the scene.
"The crews then set up an number of covering jets to tackle the fire from outside. Firefighters are also using breathing apparatus and hose reel jets to fight the fire from inside the building.
"All occupants of the building are believed to have been accounted for.
"A full road closure is currently in place Whitby Road while emergency services deal with the incident and motorists are advised to avoid the area."
