A WOMAN was pulled out of a window by firefighters after an “intense” fire ripped through her Prestwich home.

Firefighters were met with the fire on the ground floor of the house, in Mather Avenue, at about 4.30am this morning. (Sunday)

The woman’s husband and two teenage daughters had managed to escape the fire after being woken up by the sound of a window blowing out downstairs, due to the intensity of the fire.

She had tried to escape through a small window on the first floor, but became stuck.

Crews from Whitefield, Broughton, and Agecroft spent two hours at the scene and could not enter the house because of the strength of the blaze.

However, quick-thinking crew manager Chris McNally climbed a ladder up to the window and pulled her out of the window, holding on with just one hand.

The woman and her family were taken to hospital following the incident.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said the house did not have smoke alarms fitted, and that the fire was thought to be caused by a gas detector which had been left charging overnight.

Chris Rainford, watch manager, said: “This family are very, very lucky. The quick decisions of the crew and brave actions certainly saved this woman’s life.”

Cllr David Action, chairman of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, added: “The crew did a fantastic job during this dramatic rescue.

“This incident just goes to show the importance of having working smoke alarms in our homes and I would urge people to get them fitted if they haven’t got them already.”