A drunk man who refused to believe his flat was ablaze, argued with firefighters on the doorstep, and had to be stopped from going back inside.

The drama happened in Woodfield Road, Leigh, just after midnight yesterday, when neighbours in the upstairs flat saw smoke coming up through the floorboards in their bathroom.

Sub-officer Barrie May, from Leigh Fire Station, said: "The neighours tried to rouse him, but got no answer and called us.

"The owner of the flat eventually came to the door, but he didn't know what was happening. He was very drunk and got quite aggressive.

"He just didn't believe me when I told him his flat was on fire. When the police came, they took him. He was trying to go back inside and we had to restrain him."

Two firefighters needed breathing apparatus to tackle the fire which started after the man, in his 30s, was believed to have been smoking in bed.

Mr May said: "The mattress was well alight. There was 20 per cent fire damage to the flat, and around 40 per cent smoke damage."

Neighbours upstairs and next door were evacuated while the firefighters tackled the blaze, and the occupant was later allowed back home.

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