Seconds away from fiery death

5:03pm Thursday 28th December 2006

A 22-year-old man just seconds from death when he was dragged from his smoke-filled home was today making an early New Year's resolution - to pack in the cigarettes.

Firefighters found Adam Kay in the nick of time after his discarded cigarette set a chair on fire in the living room.

The flames spread to curtains, and thick smoke engulfed the room as the fire took hold.

Adam was unconscious and had stopped breathing when he was rescued by firefighters with seconds to spare from his bedroom in Lidget Place, Lidget Green, Bradford.

They broke down the front door after a neighbour raised the alarm soon after 11pm on Boxing Day, searched the terrace house and found Adam unconscious in bed.

Fairweather Green Fire Station watch manager John Musto said Adam was "just seconds" from death.

He said: "When we found him on his bed he was unconscious and not breathing.

"We got him outside and laid him on one of our jackets on the ground to work on him.

"He had a pulse but we had to open his airwaves by tilting his head back to get him breathing on his own again. It was a very close thing," he said.

Flames had spread from an armchair and set fire to the living room curtains sending smoke billowing through the back-to-back house.

An elderly neighbour said: "The first I knew about it was when I heard the fire engines.

"I watched them go in for him and bring him out. They put him on the floor and were trying to bring him round.

"When he came round he was wanting his Mum, he was shouting for her."

Paramedics took Adam to Bradford Royal Infirmary. He was treated for smoke inhalation and later discharged.

Today Adam said a big thank you to the firefighters who saved his life.

Speaking at the home of his parents Steven and Margaret, in Cousen Avenue, Lidget Green, he said his two New Year resolutions were to give up smoking and install a smoke alarm.

Adam, a car park attendant in Bradford city centre, said: "I feel shocked and very shaken up. I owe my life to the firefighters. It is thanks to them that I will be celebrating the New Year."

His mum Margaret, a mother of five, said she was not surprised Adam had come round in the street shouting for her.

"We're a close family and they always want their mum. Even my eldest lad who is 33 still wants his mum," she said.

Margaret said she had been round Adam's home after the blaze and felt sick when she saw the damage.

"The living room curtains are completely gone. It made me realise what danger he was in," she said.

She and her husband rushed to the house in time to see Adam being driven off in an ambulance.

"I can't thank the fire service enough for saving his life. We've had a good Christmas and this hasn't spoiled it.

"We're all still here. Property can be replaced," she said.

Adam, who lives alone, is joining his parents, brothers, sister and ten nephews and nieces for a very special New Year celebration.

"I'm just glad I'm still alive," he said.

Mr Musto warned householders to fit a smoke alarm.

He said: "We can't make the message more simple and more hard-hitting than this - smoke detectors save lives."

Firefighters can carry out free fire home safety checks and fit alarms at no cost. Call 0800 5874536 to find out more.

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