A GAS engineer was given the kiss of life by a fellow worker after being overcome by fumes as he repaired a leaking main.

Firemen sealed off part of Todmorden Road, Burnley, as Gregory Rigby of Rushton Street, Barrowford, received roadside resuscitation. The crews blasted jets of air around the scene as Mr Rigby was given oxygen by ambulancemen and taken to hospital while his colleague sealed off the leak.

The hero of the hour has not been named by his bosses, Transco Ltd, which carries out pipework for British Gas.

"There was a fear of explosion and we sealed off the road to cut down the danger," said a fire spokesman.

Mr Rigby had been working down a 3ft hole in the pavement.

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