Seven rescued from fire at flats

The smoke damaged stairwell of the flats

Seven people were trapped during a blaze at a block of flats in Londonderry, a fire officer has said.

The fire erupted in the Carnhill area of the city just after 0200 GMT on Saturday.

Residents could not get out because of smoke in a communal staircase and were rescued by firefighters. Three people were treated for smoke inhalation.

Barry McDowell of the Fire and Rescue Service said it could have been much worse but for the smoke alarms.

"The occupants of the flats, when they came out, they were very frightened and in shock because they were trapped in their premises," he said.

"At such an early hour of the morning, wakening up to find that they could not escape their premises because of the smoke in the communal staircase.

"It definitely could have been a lot more serious only for the smoke alarms."

One man, Harry Rodgers, had to be led to safety by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus as he was still in his bed sleeping.

"I was all disorientated, I didn't know where I was, it was pitch black with the smoke," Mr Rodgers said.

"I collapsed when I got to the living room after he pulled me out the bed. He took me outside and gave me oxygen to get me right.

"I thought my time was up."

A pregnant woman was among those treated for the effects of breathing in smoke.

A first floor flat was destroyed in the blaze.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known but it is thought it was accidental.