Lucky to be alive

THE moment Paul Anderson had a lucky escape from at a fire in Rochdale.

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DRAMATIC footage capturing the amazing lucky escape of a Hathershaw fireman will be used to train crews across the UK.

Paul Anderson, of Crofton Street, was inches from a blazing terrace house in Littleborough when it collapsed. Seconds earlier, the 43-year-old had been standing directly in the path of the falling debris.

The footage, captured by a CCTV camera on a fire engine at the scene, will now be used during health and safety.

Paul, a firefighter for 18 years currently based at Ashton, said: “Crew members at the back of the property said the roof was starting to collapse so I came out of the house and walked away just as the whole thing came down. There was no danger to any residents as they had been evacuated and a cordon had been put in place on both sides of the street.

“As firefighters, we accept that danger is part of the job. These are the hazards we come across.”

Greater Manchester County Fire Officer and Chief Executive Steve McGuirk said the footage provided terrifying viewing for the service and it will now be used to make crews more aware of the dangers.

He added: “The footage is unbelievable. This firefighter could so easily have been killed. It’s a powerful example of how our firefighters put themselves at risk every day.”