A MAN was heroically seen jumping from a burning flat with a five-month-old baby tucked into his boxer shorts.
Emergency services rushed to the serious blaze which has ripped its way through four flats in Heywood, Greater Manchester, on Thursday afternoon.
STEVE ALLENSmoke was seen rising from the block of flats[/caption]
STEVE ALLENA large presence of firefighters were seen at the site of the blaze[/caption]
One resident told Manchester Evening News how she saw a man tuck a baby into his boxer shorts and leap from the burning first floor flat to the ground.
A smashed window seen on the first floor of the building is understood to be the place where the man broke free and jumped from.
It is also understood that three people have been taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.
Residents have said how the roof of the block of flats has now “caved in”.
Another local has said how he ran out of a nearby shop when he saw smoke and began banging on doors to help awaken occupants.
Liam Hughes, 35, said: “I was in the shops and saw the smoke and ran up there, banging on the windows to get everyone out.
“If I had not gone there it could have been a lot worse.
“None of them had any clothes on.”
A cordon has been put in place, and police officers have been seen standing guard on surrounding streets.
Firefighters wearing breathing equipment have also been spotted at the scene of the blaze.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At just before 2.55pm on Thursday (March 13) GMFRS were called to a fire involving four maisonette flats on Lochawe Close, Heywood.
“A number of fire engines and special appliances were quickly mobilised to the scene with surrounding properties evacuated.
“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used jets to extinguish the fire and are dampening down any remaining hot spots.
“Crews remain in attendance alongside Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service.”
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STEVE ALLENEmergency services are at the scene of a house fire in Heywood, Greater Manchester[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
