A ROUGH sleeper had to smash a window to escape from a derelict pub after a fire he set to keep warm got out of control.

The man, had settled down for the night at the Church Inn pub, in Bell Lane, Bury when he had to make the quick exit.

Firefighters were called to the empty hostelry at about 11.45pm last night and were able to get the fire under control 'within seconds'.

They tackled the fire through the smashed window and then a team went into the building to ensure nobody else was inside.

Firefighters said the pub was not badly damaged and remained 'fairly unaffected' bar a couple of pieces of furniture.

One fire engine remained at the scene until 3am to wait for gas and electricity engineers to isolate the supply to the building.

It is understood the rough sleeper who caused the fire was arrested by police near the scene.