Firefighters get abuse for thanks

A MAN dragged from a burning building rewarded his rescuers with a torrent of abuse.

The man, believed to be in his thirties, was arrested by police for breach of the peace after becoming argumentative following the fire in Mellor Way, Chadderton at 2.50 this morning.

He was only saved from the flames by an alert neighbour and firefighters hauling him to safety.

The man is believed to have been drinking when he put on a chip pan in the early hours and then fell asleep on his couch.

A smoke alarm failed to wake him but a neighbour heard the noise and called the fire service.

After being unable to rouse the man, firefighters broke down a door and pulled him out of the building before putting out the flames.

Chadderton fire station watch commander Bill Gibbons said: “It was fortunate that the next-door neighbour heard the smoke alarm and phoned the fire brigade, giving early intervention.”

He said the man became obstructive but attributed his ungrateful behaviour to alcohol and shock.

The fire damaged the kitchen and smokelogged the rest of the property.