Firefighers save man from Derry blaze

Firefighters pulled an unconscious man from a burning house in Derry overnight.

A smoke alarm which sounded as soon as a chip pan blaze took hold saved his life, they said.

Crews were called out by a passer-by who heard the alarm going off and saw smoke billowing from the end terrace property on Spencer Road in the Waterside district of the city just before 12.30am.

District Commander Willie Lynch said: “We arrived and forced entry through the front and back doors, carried out a search and found a man in his mid 30s lying unconscious in a hallway at the bottom of the stairs.”

The victim, who had stopped breathing, was carried outside and given emergency resuscitation before an ambulance took him to Altnageldin Hospital where it is believed he will make a full recovery.

Further searches were carried out in the house after firefighters were told a woman and child also lived there, but no others were found.

Mr Lynch confirmed the fire, which caused severe damage to the kitchen and hallway, had started at an unattended chip pan.

He added: “This man is living testimony that smoke alarms do save lives. It’s vitally important that people in a house where they go off leave immediately, don’t wait for any reason at all."