THE tenant of a flat above a Chapel Street printers in Leigh was rushed to hospital on Tuesday afternoon after suffering from the effects of smoke after his chip pan set alight.

And but for the quick actions of local heroes Allan Richardson, owner of the printer's First Impressions, and Mark Perry, 34, whose wife owns Premier bathrooms next door, the tenant could have been trapped.

The pair rushed into action by grabbing a pair of ladders and helping David Hope, 27, down to the street as firemen from Leigh Fire Station rushed to the scene and put out the blaze, and police blocked off the street to traffic.

Sub Fire Officer Ian Woods said: "But for the quick action of these two men there could have been a tragedy. Mr. Hope was taken to hospital after inhaling quite a lot of smoke. It appears he left the chip pan on the stove and forgot about it."

Smoke blackened Mr. Perry, who is also a trained first-aider, commented: "I was just glad that Allan had a ladder on his premises and we were able to get Mr. Hope to safety. I went up the ladder and helped him down and it was certainly smoky up there. He was very lucky to get out alive."

Pictured are double heroes Mark Perry (left) and Allan Richardson who made their dramatic rescue while waiting for the fire brigade. Picture: Peter Riley.

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