Man rescued from first floor fire

A man was rescued from the first floor of a burning flat after an operator had kept him talking over the phone.

The man rang West Midlands Fire and Rescue from his flat in Oldbury during the early hours.

A fire spokesman said he was "coughing and spluttering" and suffering from breathing in smoke.

The operator was able to keep him on the phone and gave him advice about what to do until fire crews got a ladder to his window and rescued him.

He was treated for the effects of smoke inhalation after his rescue.

Fire service spokesman Alan Tranter said operators were the "unsung heroes" of the fire service.