A PRESTWICH family has been hit by tragedy for the third time in five months.

Fire struck at the home of Mr Gary Cassidy in Tulle Court at around 9.30pm on Wednesday (Feb 6).

The 35-year-old and his two dogs were rescued by firefighters from Whitefield and Broughton and Mr Cassidy was taken to North Manchester General Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and burns to his face.

Mother, Mrs Jean Cassidy (65), who lives next door to her son's flat, said he was on a ventilator and his condition was "quite serious".

The incident comes just four months after Mrs Cassidy's baby grand daughter died after she was discovered not breathing in the arms of her mother, Maxine Cassidy.

As reported in last week's Bury Times, Bury coroner Barrie Williams recorded an open verdict on the death of seven-week tot Lauren Pearson. Maxine Cassidy, Mrs Cassidy's daughter, fell asleep with Lauren in her arms in October last year and woke to find her not breathing.

The baby was rushed to hospital from her home in Roman Road, Prestwich but she died five days later after a decision was taken to switch off the ventilator.

Just four weeks earlier, Maxine's partner and the father of baby Lauren, David Pearson, died from a massive overdose of migraine tablets.

Although Mr Pearson had indicated to Miss Cassidy that he wanted to "end it all", the coroner recorded an open verdict as he requested medical help after taking the tablets.

Inquests into both deaths were held last Monday and at the time Mrs Cassidy said her daughter was "strong, like her mother" and would now be able to get on with her life.

Speaking yesterday about the latest blow to her family, Mrs Cassidy, who works at Oak Lodge nursing home in Bury New Road, said: "I heard all the noise and commotion at around 9.30pm and went out to have a look. The firefighters told me to go back inside while they went into the flat. I don't know what caused the fire."

Mrs Cassidy said her son, who did not work due to medical reasons, had been the victim of a hit-and-run driver a number of years ago and suffered from blackouts or fits.

She said: "He has got a few problems, but you could say I have had my fair share. This is the last thing I needed after all that has happened. It has been a bad few months and now this."

Mrs Cassidy said she was due to visit her son, who was on a ventilator, and added: "It is quite serious. I am very worried about him at the moment. I am also worried about what is going to happen to him when he gets better. His flat is ruined and he only bought his suite three weeks ago. I don't know where he will live."

The cause of the fire is being investigated. An arm chair in the lounge area appears to have been the source of the blaze.