A QUICK-THINKING neighbour saved a woman’s life after she remained fast asleep while toxic smoke from a kitchen blaze engulfed her home.

Firefighters rushed to a terraced house in Tottington Road, Bury at about 1.30am lthis morning after a pan of chicken left on the hob caught alight.

One woman, aged 28, had come home from a night out in Manchester and put the food on before falling asleep on the couch.

When smoke began filling the house two smoke alarms, which were recently fitted by firefighters, began going off and woke her neighbour, a man in his forties.

He went outside to investigate and, after smelling smoke, spotted the woman lying on the couch asleep so banged on the windows and door.

She woke up and saw him but did not realise there was a fire and went upstairs to bed, putting a duvet over her head. At this point, the concerned neighbour phoned 999.

Firefighters from Bury, Whitefield and Ramsbottom rushed to the scene, smashing down the front door and searched the house, finding the woman still fast asleep upstairs.

Firefighter Alex McLurg from Whitefield station carried her to safety before crews administered first aid and oxygen as she had inhaled a lot of smoke.

When paramedics arrived they gave the woman a full check and she did not need hospitalisation or further treatment.

Carl Bostock, crew manager at Bury fire station, said: “This neighbour deserves credit, because his actions have saved a life.

“The pan of food on the hob started the fire and created a lot of extremely strong smoke, filling every room in the house. 

“Quite simply, if he had not had called us when he did she would have inhaled more toxic smoke in her sleep and probably would have died.

“The message is if you go out and have a few drinks, do not make hot food when you get home. Never put pans of food on.

“Even though this fire did not set fire to the whole house, every room has suffered smoke damage and she will most likely have to throw away some of her clothes and furniture.”

The woman’s cooker also suffered fire damage. Firefighters left the scene about 2.45am.