POLICE rescued an unconscious man from a burning flat, carrying him out of a window and down a ladder.

Officers climbed to the first-floor property, above a shop in Burnley, after seeing smoke pouring out when they arrived following reports of a domestic disturbance.

Once inside the Accrington Road building, they found a settee on fire.

Det Sgt Mark Whelan, from the public protection unit, said a man inside the flat then went up to the second floor, where police were faced with ‘billowing, acrid’ smoke.

He said: “They were looking for the man and found him unconscious on a landing. He was overcome by smoke.

“They recovered him, took him outside and then the fire service arrived and put the fire out.”

The man was taken to hospital where he was treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.

Muhammed Imran, who lives next door to the flat, which is above Posh Paws Tattoos, said: “I heard shouting and smashing then the police came and broke in.

“I looked out of the window and there were lots of police and fire engines.

“I went downstairs and there was a man outside on the ground and they were giving him oxygen.

“I was scared because I live there with my baby Maria, who is six months old, and my wife Urszula.

“There was fire on my roof, too, and it was obviously really worrying.”

Det Sgt Whelan said an investigation had been launched and he appealed for anybody with information to come forward.

He said: “I would appeal to members of the public who might have been in the area at the time to come forward to help us with our investigation.”

Anybody with details should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

  • Dillon Irwin, 20, of Melrose Avenue, Burnley, has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life and burglary with intent to inflict grevious bodily harm.