A FRAIL partially deaf pensioner was rescued from his burning bungalow by firemen as he struggled to make his way through his smoke logged hallway.

A team of Bolton firefighters discovered the 80-year-old on the floor after breaking into his bungalow home on Waverley Square, Farnworth.

The blaze began at 8.40pm, last night after Mr Bill Charnock had pulled his armchair too close to his gas fire.

He dozed off in the chair, but woke as the chair began to smoulder in the heat.

His smoke alarm went off and Mr Charnock managed to reach the hallway and press the panic button, alerting members of Careline, who contacted the fire service.

When the firefighters arrived, the living room was alight and smoke was pouring through the letter box of the front door.

They broke down the door and four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went into the bungalow to rescue Mr Charnock.

They carried him out and gave first aid until paramedics arrived.

He was taken to Bolton General Hospital where he was treated for smoke inhalation, but later allowed home.

Fire damage was confined to the living room and its contents.

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