A MAN was rescued from the attic after being trapped by a fire at his home in Rossendale.

The alarm was raised by neighbours who heard Matthew Collier calling for help from a skylight attic window at his home in Albert Road, Crawshawbooth, shortly after 4.30am yesterday. Firefighters led Mr Collier from the smoke-logged house. A search was made but no-one else was inside.

Mr Collier received oxygen treatment for the effects of breathing in smoke and help from paramedics. He declined to go to hospital.

Firefighter Phillip Jones said there was an earlier fire at the house when a footstool was left too close to a fire. "Mr Collier thought he had put it out and later went to bed. It obviously started up again."

Mr Collier was unable to make his way downstairs because of the thick black smoke, so made his way into the attic and shouted for help from the window.

Extensive damage was caused to furniture in the living room, with smoke damage being caused to the rest of the property.

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