Milkman in house fire rescue bid

A milkman tried to rescue a woman from a burning house in Lancashire after noticing the fire on his round.

The man was beaten back by the heat and smoke and called fire crews, who rescued the woman and a Labrador puppy from the house in Chorley.

The woman suffered the effects of smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said the Longton Street house did not have a smoke alarm and praised the milkman's "quick reactions" to the fire.

A spokesman said: "The fire was believed to have been caused by smoking materials and the fire at this moment in time is still being investigated.

"No smoke detection was present in the property at the time of the incident, however fortunately for the occupant on this occasion, because of the quick reactions of the passing milkman that raised the alarm, which ultimately led to her safe removal from the risk area."