Firefighters praise man for leading family to safety after flat fire

Firefighters have praised a man for leading his family to safety after a fire in a flat in Newhey, Rochdale.

Crews from Rochdale and Littleborough fire stations were called to a shop on Huddersfield Road at 11.10pm last night, June 23.

Firefighters in breathing apparatus used a hose reel to tackle the fire in the cellar of property.

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Trauma Technician administered oxygen therapy to a 46-year-old man, who had escaped the smoke logged flat above with his family.

The man was taken to Rochdale Infirmary suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation as a precaution.

Watch Manager Paul Wilkinson, who was in charge of the incident, said: "The family left a tumble dryer running when they went to bed and it set on alight causing a substantial fire in the basement.

"Fortunately they had a working smoke alarm and the owner of the property did an excellent job at leading his family and pet dog to safety.

"The fire has caused quite a bit of damage to the cellar, the stock in the shop and destroyed a washing machine and tumble dryer."

Chair of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillor David Acton, said: "The quick actions of this man may have saved his family's lives.

"Not only did this family have a working smoke alarm they had an escape plan -without them this incident would have been far worse.

"Tumble dryers can easily overheat and we would urge everyone to ensure they are properly maintained and not left unattended for long periods of time."