A FIRE officer has appealed for residents to park sensibly after a crew was obstructed from reaching a blaze in Radcliffe.

Three people were treated for smoke inhalation after a chip pan fire fire at a first-floor flat in Farringdon Drive.

Firefighters were called to the address at 1am on Saturday (July 7) after the chip pan had been left on a cooker, causing extensive smoke-logging.

The 37-year-old man was given oxygen therapy at the scene by fire crews before paramedics arrived. He was taken to Bury General Hospital and later discharged.

Two residents from adjoining flats, a 71-year-old woman and a 59-year-old man,were also treated for the effects of smoke, but declined hospital treatment.

Sub-officer Steve Simpson, of Whitefield Fire Station, said there had been no smoke detector on the premises and the alarm had been raised by neighbours.

But he told how one of the crews was blocked from getting to the flat by double-parked cars.

"The parking caused us problems getting to the flat, and one engine had to stop down the road forcing the crew to haul the equipment quite a distance.

"With cars parked on both sides of the road, there was not enough room to get the engine through, which can cause vital delays and can have very serious consequences."

He added: "We would just ask people to be more thoughtful when they do park their cars so emergency vehicles can pass through."