AN ELDERLY man who escaped unharmed from a house fire thanks to a smoke detector is urging others to have them fitted.

Mr Raymond Flint (78), of Oakwell Drive, Unsworth, admitted there could have been dire consequences if there had been no alarm.

"It has saved me and my property. Everyone should have a smoke alarm fitted and check it every six months to make sure it is working. It is not a hard job to do but is so important as I have found out," he said.

Fire crews were called to the house at 10.30pm on Friday (Jan 24) to tackle the blaze started by a burning cigarette left in the bathroom. Fortunately the early warning alert of the smoke alarm meant Mr Flint managed to escape unscathed and damage to the property was minimal.

Mr Flint had the smoke detector fitted as soon as he moved into the property 18 years ago

Describing the drama, he said: "I was watching television when I heard a bleeping noise. At first I thought it was noise coming from the television, so I turned it off and realised it was the smoke alarm. I got up and saw smoke coming from the bathroom and called the fire brigade. The fire crews were here within five minutes."

He added: "I don't know why I was smoking in the bathroom. It is something I have never done before. But everyone slips up occasionally and that is why a smoke detector is so important."

Mr Flint's daughter, Mrs Anne Williams said: "My father is a little hard of hearing so the smoke alarm must have been very loud. He is very lucky."

Leading fireman Glyn Smith of Whitefield Fire Station said: "It was thanks to the smoke alarm that this man managed to escape with his life."

He added: "This incident again goes to show how important smoke alarms are. The occupier, as well as having a smoke detector fitted, also followed the three rules, get out, get us out and stay out which undoubtedly saved his life."