FIREFIGHTERS saved a man's life yesterday afternoon as dramatic rescue scenes unfolded in Hester's Way.
A 23-year-old man, believed to be Andrew Howell, dialled 999 after a fire broke out in the hallway of his ground floor flat in Walton House, Goldsmith Road, trapping him and his two Staffordshire Bull Terriers inside the living room.
The man passed out from smoke inhalation while he was on the phone, but did manage to open the living room window first.
A crew of 12 firefighters arrived at the flat at 3.15pm and had to force their way in, carrying the unconscious man out of the window.
The dogs were also rescued.
Paramedics treated the man at the scene. He regained consciousness after about three minutes.
He was then taken to Cheltenham General Hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
Watch commander Nick Chandler praised his crew of firefighters, saying: "Undoubtedly we have saved his life.
"He had serious smoke inhalation and he certainly would not have survived in there too much longer.
"I am extremely proud of the crew."
He added: "When we arrived we were met with a developing fire in the hallway and a heavily smoke logged front room.
"The living room was completely black from smoke and we could barely see anything when we arrived."
The man's family – a woman and two young girls – arrived at the scene shortly after he had been taken to hospital.
After being informed of what had happened, they went to the hospital to be at his bedside.
Police officers were still at the scene last night investigating the cause of the blaze.
Inspector Paul Cruise said: "We are trying to find out how the fire started whether it is suspicious."
Officers cordoned off the area while firefighters tackled the blaze, but the road remained open to vehicles. The fire was contained to the flat and did not spread to other properties.
Dog wardens from Cheltenham Borough Council were called in to look after the dogs before they were collected by the man's family.
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer Jon Hall praised the black watch crew from Cheltenham West station for their efforts, saying: "Life saved, good result."
