Two in flat fire escape

TWO men had a lucky escape from a blaze which ripped through a flat in Oxford Street, Werneth, early today.

Eight firefighters tackled the blaze which broke out in the bedroom of a first floor flat around 3.15am. They spent 90 minutes at the scene.

Mike Harris, watch commander from Chadderton fire station, commended the occupiers for having a working smoke alarm, which he said gave them an early warning of the fire and probably saved their lives.

No-one was in the bedroom when the fire started, and Mr Harris said the two occupiers “did the right thing” by getting out and calling the fire brigade.

He said the bedroom was destroyed, and the fire was so severe it was unlikely the flat was fit to move back into at the moment.

The cause is under investigation and firefighters from Chadderton were calling at homes in the area today offering to fit free smoke alarms.