Woman rescued in blaze drama

House fire on Hamilton Street, Chadderton.

FIREFIGHTERS had to smash down a door to rescue an unconscious woman from a kitchen fire after she couldn’t find her keys to escape.

The 61-year-old woman was rescued just in time from the blaze in Hamilton Street, Chadderton, shortly before 10.45am yesterday.

She was given oxygen therapy and first aid by fire service trauma technicians before being taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital suffering the effects of smoke inhalation.

Two crews from Oldham and one from Chadderton attended the blaze and succeeded in containing the fire to the kitchen using two hose reels, four breathing apparatus and a thermal imaging camera.

Watch manager Mick Harris said: “She was very lucky that the fire station is only around the corner and there was prompt action by the crew in extinguishing the fire and giving her oxygen therapy.

“We had to smash the front door in because she couldn’t find her keys. It was a severe kitchen fire and caused a lot of damage.

“I would reiterate to people to make sure they have an escape plan in place to be able to get out of a property.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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