A PRESTON pensioner and his horse escaped from a blaze at his home in Preston on Tuesday afternoon.

George Gatley, of Emmanual Street, was in his back yard looking after his horse when the fire broke out in his upstairs bedroom at about 2.15pm.

Firefighters believe the blaze started when some plastic bags were set alight by the open hearth fire.

Two pumps were called out to the blaze although no one was injured.

Leading Firefighter Andrew Bridge said: "Fortunately Mr Gatley was outside when the fire broke out because the bedroom was badly damaged and the whole house was full of smoke."

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