FIREFIGHTERS saved a man from his smoke-filled home.

Smoke alarms went off in a home in Alcott Grove, Shotton Colliery, near Peterlee, at 2am yesterday, but there was no response from the occupant.

Fire crews from Seaham, Peterlee and Wheatley Hill broke down the door and found a man in his thirties semi-conscious on a settee.

He was taken to Hartlepool's University Hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

Fire crews had been called to a fire in the entrance lobby of a house in Byron Terrace, Shotton, Peterlee, half an hour earlier.

After being told by neighbours there was someone inside, firefighters rescued a women, who was taken to hospital with cuts to her legs.