A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a woman was found unconscious in her smoke-filled home in Bury.

The woman, named locally as Gail White, was rescued from her house in Tottington Road by firefighters last Thursday at about 11pm.

Police have since quizzed a 32-year-old man on suspicion of arson, and he has been bailed until June 13 pending further inquiries. Ms White had to be revived by a fire trauma technician from Bury Fire Station, and was then taken to hospital, where she was treated for smoke inhalation.

She was released from hospital a few hours later after precautionary checks were carried out.

Earlier this week, the front door of the house remained boarded up, after the fire had caused smoke damage to the property.

At the height of the incident, three fire crews from Bury, Whitefield and Ramsbottom were mobilised.

A spokesman for the fire service said the blaze had broken out in a cupboard under the stairs in the house and that it involved clothing and electrical items.

A neighbour, who declined to be named, said: “We got a knock on our door saying that the house was on fire.

“I went out the back and I could hear her screaming, and they were given the signal to go and get her out.

“They resuscitated her and took her off to hospital.”

The neighbour said she thought Ms White had lived at the house for more than 10 years, and that her daughter had previously resided there for a few years.