A COUPLE had to flee their bungalow in Radcliffe after a fire swept through a bedroom.

Crews were called to Borough Place shortly before 9am on Sunday where the man and woman were escaping from the property as firefighters arrived.

The intensity of the blaze filled the street with smoke and forced neighbours to evacuate their homes.

Watch Commander at Bury Fire Station Steve Wilcock said: “It was just on a whim that the woman, who was in the lounge, went upstairs and looked in the bedroom. She managed to get the man out. Had she not, he would have died.”

It is believed the blaze was caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette.

The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes but firefighters stayed at the scene until the afternoon dampening down.

Both occupants were treated for heavy smoke inhalation and the man was taken to hospital for treatment.

The house has since been boarded up.