Man rescued from burning home by neighbour

The fire started in a bungalow in Colvile Road, Newton, near Wisbech at about 9.30pm.

The occupant of the affected property was out of the bungalow when the fire service arrived and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

A male casualty from the adjacent bungalow had difficultly in leaving his home. A member of the public feared the fire would spread and, before the fire service arrived, went in to the neighbouring bungalow and rescued the man. Both were taken to hospital by ambulance to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Eight fire fighters tackled the blaze, before returning to their station at 12.30am.

Station Commander Ady Slack, incident commander, said: “It is believed the fire started in the main living room of the property where the occupant was asleep. He woke up when the fire was already well established and was very lucky to get out of the property.

“Thankfully, concerned neighbours called 999 to alert the fire service of the smoke, enabling our crews to arrive and prevent the fire from spreading to any of the adjacent bungalows.

“The bungalow in which the fire started has been 100 per cent affected by fire, which also has caused damage to the roof.”

An investigation to find the cause of the blaze is ongoing.