A HEROIC neighbour dragged a man from the brink of death after he was overcome by a house fire.

The daring rescue was carried out when a chip pan caught fire at around 2.30pm on Tuesday in Glaister Lane, Breightmet.

According to firemen, the victim had left the pan and was overcome by the smoke when he went back into the kitchen.

Neighbours witnessed a man from a house across the street break down the front door and drag the unconscious man outside before the emergency services arrived.

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "We saw the man kick the door down and all the black smoke poured out.

"He was covered in black soot and then the fire engines and ambulance arrived."

Bolton North Fire Station watch manager Mick Hodson said the victim was conscious outside the property when they arrived.

Firefighters used a hose to put out the chip pan fire, which was confined to the kitchen at the back of the house.

Mr Hodson said that smoke alarms were installed and were going off, which he said was how the neighbours knew there was a fire.

Another neighbour who lives next to the property said: "I heard the smoke alarm and then I saw the man come from the other side of the street.

"I saw him carry the man out and the emergency services were here so quickly."

Both the victim and the rescuer were taken to Royal Bolton Hospital. Their condition is currently unknown.

Cllr David Acton, chairman of the fire committee, said: "Chip pans are incredibly dangerous and the occupier of this house had a lucky escape — this could have been a far more serious incident.

"Although the number of chip pan fires we attend has fallen, we still see these kind of incidents all too often.

"We recommend getting rid of your chip pan all together and replacing it with a thermostatically controlled deep fat fryer or air fryer.

"It’s important to have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, to check them regularly and to ensure they are maintained correctly."