TWO North Yorkshire men were rescued from a four-storey block of flats today after a fire which has been described as "of doubtful origin."

Firefighters were called to the flats, in Belle View Parade, at 2.45am.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters entered the building and rescued the two men from a ground-floor flat.

"A third man made his own way from the building. The flat was fire damaged, while the stairwells and a second-floor flat were damaged by smoke and heat."

The men, who have not been named, were taken to Scarborough Hospital suffering from shock and smoke inhalation.

Firefighters were at the scene until 4.30am.

The spokeswoman said: "At the moment the fire is being classed as of doubtful origin, and will be investigated."

Updated: 10:36 Friday, October 05, 2001