FIREFIGHTERS rescued a 35-year-man after a flat fire early this morning.

Emergency services were called to Greenways in Delves Lane, Consett, County Durham, at 5.51am. Officers wearing breathing apparatus rescued the man after a small fire broken out in the bedroom of his flat after he became trapped.

A spokesman for County Durham Fire and Rescue Service said: “Two fire appliances, from Consett Fire Station, including ten firefighters, attended the incident where a man was reported trapped in the ground floor property.

“On arrival at the incident two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used one high pressure hose reel to extinguish the fire and rescue the man inside.

“The man was treated by paramedics at the scene and taken to hospital by ambulance.”

The fire service is working with the police to determine the cause of the fire and a joint investigation is being carried out.

To arrange a home fire safety visit, which includes fitting a free smoke alarm, call the fire service on 0845-22-4221 or visit our website www.ddfire.gov.uk