A MAN leapt to safety as fire swept through his first floor flat on Teesside, earlier today.
With flames gutting his lounge, the unnamed victim scrambled out of his bedroom window and on to a patio roof before dropping down on to the ground.
Kevin Hanson, watch manager at Billingham Fire Station for Cleveland Fire Brigade, said the first floor lounge was totally destroyed in the blaze - which started at 4.40am "It was a severe fire in the living room,'' Mr Hanson said. "The room was totally destroyed and everything in it.'' He said crews had access problems getting to the first floor single person's flat in Casson Way, in the High Grange area of Billingham.
The fire was found to be accidental and may have been caused by discarded smoking materials.
The occupier of the flat, thought to be about 20 years old, was unhurt, but shaken by his ordeal.
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