Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service has warned of the importance of having an emergency plan, following a flat fire in Great Yarmouth.

Firefighters were called to the duplex flat on Regent Street at 2.39am.

They rescued a child of around four-years-old, two adults, and a cat, who were trapped inside.

The fire broke out on the bottom floor of the flat, with the family asleep upstairs.

All three members of the family were taken to the James Paget Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, as was the firefighter who rescued them.

The flat suffered heavy smoke logging, as well as some fire damage.

Those taken to hospital have now been discharged, but Stuart Horth, head of community safety at Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said: 'I can't comment on this particular fire as investigations into the cause are still ongoing, but wherever you live it's really important to have an emergency plan and to think about how you would get out in a fire, especially if you have young children.

'People can go onto our website - www.norfolkfireservice.gov.uk - and do a home safety check and work out an evacuation plan.'

The RSPCA also attended the scene to assess the cat, who required no further treatment.

Fire investigation officers are still trying to determine how the fire was started.

Earlier this morning Scott Norman, station manager from Carrow, said: 'We were made aware of the fire by smoke detectors, which shows just how important it is to have a detector in working order, particularly this time of year.'