Man and woman escape blaze while fire-fighters rescue dog

A man and woman escaped through a window after an electrical heater started a fire in a flat in Middleton.

Fire-fighters from Blackley and Heywood fire stations were called to flats on Hopwood Road, Middleton, at 1.25am today (17 January).

The couple had escaped through a window by the time the crews arrived - both were suffering from the effects of breathing in smoke and the man had cuts to his hand.

The crews forced their way into the flat and two fire-fighters in breathing apparatus used a hose reel to extinguish the blaze.

Fire-fighters rescued a dog from inside the flat.

They used a fan to clear the smoke.

The man and woman were taken to hospital by ambulance and crews are arranging to go back and carry out a Home Safety Check at the flat.