An 'heroic' neighbour smashed a window and door before pulling a mum and her son from a burning home.
An elderly woman and an adult male were trapped inside the house in Athlone Avenue, Bolton , when the blaze broke out in the kitchen at 6.50pm on Sunday.
A man living next door heard the smoke alarm sounding from inside the semi-detached house and went outside to investigate.
After finding the house ablaze, he smashed a window and door at the back of the property and managed to rescue the pair.
One person was taken to hospital due to suffering from smoke inhalation.
Firefighters arrived shortly after and tackled the fire, which is believed to have been caused by some cooking being left unattended.
Crews from Bolton North, Bolton Central and Farnworth worked at the scene for about 90 minutes and managed to limit the damage to the ground floor.
Gareth Peters, watch manager at Bolton North fire station, said: "We were called at about 6.50pm.
"Prior to our arrival, a neighbour who was alerted to the fire by a smoke had broken th back window and door and rescued the pair.
"It's under no doubt that the neighbour's heroic actions have saved lives.
"The working smoke alarm gave advance notice of the fire.
"We'd like to remind residents not to leave cooking unattended and check smoke alarms are working in the run-up to Christmas.
"Safe and wellbeing viewings are available on 0880 555815."
