Smethwick man suffers severe smoke inhalation after house blaze
A man had to be rescued by firefighters from the upstairs bedroom of his home following a blaze downstairs.
Three fire engines from Smethwick were called to the fire at a house in The Oval, Smethwick shortly before 2am this morning and had to help the man, who was believed to be the sole occupant of the property, down using a ladder before he was taken to hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.
Following the blaze, charred furniture, including sofas, were left in the garden at the front of the home, while the lounge window was boarded up and there was evidence of smoke damage around the porch.
A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said the first she knew about the incident was when her daughter came downstairs to tell her she had heard shouting from next door, which had woken her.
She added: "It is just one of those horrible things that happen. All we knew was that he had been taken to hospital.
"I think my daughter heard someone shouting and that woke her up. It is always upsetting when things like this happen, but we hope he gets well soon."
She said the other concern was whether she would have to evacuate her home in case the flames spread, but the fire crews advised her she was safe to stay in her home.
The fire crews stayed on the scene until 9.30am and the man was still in hospital on Sunday afternoon.
