Man rescued in flat blaze (From Barry And District News)

Man rescued in flat blaze

A BARRY man had a lucky escape after a blaze broke out in his ground floor flat.

Keith Pask was asleep on the settee when a footstool in his living room caught fire from a nearby heater.

Mr Pask said he remembers being taken out by the fire brigade, but very little else.

He said: "I must have been laying down asleep on the sofa when it caught fire. The next thing I remember is the fire brigade being in here and the Police and Ambulance outside. I was really lucky."

The fifty-two-year-old added: "This flat gets so cold so I put the heating on. I did go out to get a cup of tea earlier on and everything was OK. Then I came back and laid on the sofa and the next thing I knew it was full of smoke. I must have been overcome by smoke because suddenly the fire crew was here."

Mr Pask, who lives on his own, was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in the Heath, Cardiff, and treated for smoke inhalation. He was then transferred to Llandough Hospital and released on Monday.

The fire broke out on Thursday November 20 at the downstairs flat in Jenner Street, Cadoxton. The only serious damage caused was to the footstool.

Mr Pask added that he was expecting a lot more damage to the property than was actually caused. He added: "When my brother came into hospital to visit me I thought it was going to be badly damaged but I was quite surprised."

Nine fire-fighters were called to the scene at 19.47pm. Four of the fire-fighters wore breathing apparatus and using one hose reel went into the flat to rescue Mr Pask.

The Fire Service has said the fire was accidental and no investigation will be taking place into the incident.