Firefighters rescue cat from blaze

A man fled to safety and firefighters had to rescue his pet cat after a fire broke out today at a flat in Telford.

Crews called to the blaze in Proctors Place, Wrockwardine Wood, at 6.45am found the man outside.

Smoke billowed from the first-floor flat and firefighters wearing breathing gear tackled the blaze before carrying the cat to safety.

Ian Leigh, of Wellington fire station, said the man was suffering from smoke inhalation and given emergency first aid. Paramedics continued the treatment before taking him to the Princess Royal Hospital as a precaution.

The cat was unharmed but the living room was damaged and heavily smoke-logged. Mr Leigh said: "Unfortunately, there wasn't a smoke alarm in the flat."