GOOD Samaritan Frederick Bielocerkowicz needed a hospital check-up after putting out a fire at an elderly woman's home.

Mr Bielocerkowicz, 50, of Edgeworth Grove, Burnley, dashed into a flat opposite his home when he saw smoke.

He took the smoking frying pan from the heat and covered it with a damp cloth.

Leading Firefighter Neil Mark said: "He did the right things but unfortunately took in some smoke.

"When we arrived he was on the doorstep coughing and spluttering.

"We gave him oxygen at the scene and then he went to Burnley General Hospital for a check-up."

During the incident the occupant stayed in her livingroom until persuaded to go outside while the firefighters cleared the smoke.

Mr Mark added: "We fitted a smoke alarm for her. It would have given her much earlier warning and created less of a problem."