AN 84-year-old man was rescued by firefighters after he collapsed in his kitchen after leaving a pan of burning food on the stove.

The fire broke out in Hanover House sheltered accommodation in Maldwyn Avenue, Bolton, at 7.45pm last night.

Crews carried out the man and gave him oxygen and he was taken to hospital suffering the effects of smoke inhalation.

Fire crews were on the scene for 40 minutes and damage was limited to the cooker. The flat was smoke damaged.