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Disabled couple rescued from house fire
A DISABLED couple were rescued from their smoke-filled home by firefighters after setting a waste bin on fire with a cigarette.
The man, aged 54, and his 52-year-old partner, both stroke victims, were taken to safety after the fire set off a smoke alarm at their terrace house in Halesowen.
Both were given oxygen by firefighters and paramedics after making a 999 call to the fire service.
The couple, who did not require hospital treatment, were watching TV in the rear lounge of the property in Cherry Street when the fire started about 9.30pm on Saturday.
Crew manager Nick Lacey, of Halesowen fire station, said: "An ashtray containing a poorly extinguished cigarette was emptied into the waste bin by one of the couple and it caught fire, producing alot of smoke.
"Because they were immobile they were unable to make their way from the room but were able to call us."
The fire, which was confined to the waste bin, caused light smoke damage.
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