BRAVE bobbies risked their lives to rescue a man trapped in a burning house.
Around 4.30am last Friday police officers Ian Abernethy and Alan Mackay, on night duty at Tyldesley's Shuttle Street police station, heard a man screaming from a house on the opposite side of Shuttle Street.
Smoke was billowing from an upstairs window and they could see Russell Hague trapped in an upstairs room.
They forced the door and, despite thick smoke, went upstairs and rescued the man.
He was taken to Bolton Royal Hospital suffering only from the effects of smoke.
Investigators say it appears the fire could have been caused by a discarded cigarette or a candle being used to illuminate the room where there was no electricity supply.
Head of Leigh police sub division Supt Malcolm Howells praised the rescuers: "I'm extremely proud of the work done by two very brave officers, without thought for their own safety."
A Bolton Hospital spokesman said Mr Hague discharged himself before being treated.
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