A VILLAGE blaze, which destroyed a first floor flat and threatened an adjoining row of terraced houses early on Sunday, proves the need to keep two fire engines in Leigh.

Golborne's Community Action councillor Peter Franzen, who is backing the St Helens Road firefighters' 'Save Our Pump' campaign, claims that without the quick reponse time of both tenders from the Leigh station, lives could have been lost.

Cllr Franzen said he was aroused at 5.30am after he heard noises near his home.

Thinking it was vandals, he rushed into the street to see the flat above Trina's hairdresser's shop in nearby Tanners Lane in flames and smoke pouring from the eaves of the adjoining homes in Wood Street.

The occupant of the flat is believed to have raised the alarm before escaping into the street. She was taken to Wigan Infirmary suffering from smoke inhalation.

Cllr Franzen, who photographed the scene, said: "I am supporting the firefighter's call to keep two engines at Leigh because I am opposed to any planned cuts in the service in this area. It is one they should not be chopping, I think this fire demonstrates that.

"Surely taking one of the pumps to Wigan will increase the response time to get two engines on site.

"Another couple of minutes in this case and we could have seen the other houses go up. It is outrageous trying to save money when it comes to a matter of life or death.

"For Leigh to lose 50 per cent of its cover is just not on and more people should get behind the firemen's campaign."

The cause of the blaze is being investigated.