FIREFIGHTERS today told how they rescued a man from a smoke-filled flat after his microwave caught fire.

Fire crews were called to the property in Fonnereau Road in the town at 9.30pm yesterday after reports of smoke being seen coming out of a basement flat.

It is believed the fire may have started while the occupant was using the microwave.

The smoke filtered through to the flats above, but these were quickly ventilated when crews arrived.

Firefighters at the scene said they initially could not locate the owner, but after finding him, he was sent straight to hospital for smoke inhalation. One firefighter said: “We were called to the premises after it was reported there was a flat fire.

“We understood there was one person missing, we committed breathing apparatus, three crews and rescued the person who is now going to hospital.”

A passer-by, Liam Starsmorre, described walking past and seeing smoke coming out of the flat.

He said: “I was waiting for my sister to finish work so just walked down the street and saw the fire engines and then saw smoke coming out of the flat.”

They later found another person, but their condition was not known last night. Police said the fire was a simple mistake and they were not treating it as suspicious.

n Did you see what happened? Were you the man rescued by firefighters? Call The Evening Star news desk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk