Leeds man, 93, walks from house fire ‘inferno’

A 93-year-old man managed to walk free from his burning Leeds home as neighbours battled to rescue him
PIC: James HardistyPIC: James Hardisty
PIC: James Hardisty

The fire started around midnight - one firefighter said: “I’ve not seen a fire that severe in a long time. All of the ground floor was involved, there were flames shooting out of all the windows and doors.”

Miraculously, the elderly man inside managed to make his way out of the rear door of the semi-detached property, while neighbours broke down his front door.

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Fire crews from Gipton and Leeds attended the scene and spent about three hours tackling the fire.

Richard Lightowler, blue watch commander from Gipton, said: “All the ground floor was involved. I’ve not seen a fire that severe in a long time. Neighbours had pulled open the front door as there was real concern for the elderly gentleman but he managed to get himself out of the building.

“We used three hoses and six firemen in breathing apparatus to tackle the fire and they did well to bring it under control and prevent it spreading.”

He added no smoke alarms had been fitted in the house and said the neighbouring house was also affected by smoke logging. The cause of the fire is under investigation and fire crews were out in the area this morning fitting smoke alarms.

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