Man rescued from burning roof in Bristol fire

A man was rescued from the roof of a four-storey building in Bristol after a fire blocked his escape.

The 37-year-old was asleep in his first-floor flat when a blaze broke out on the landing at about 1.30pm yesterday.

He was woken by the fire alarm and when he went to investigate he found the landing and stairs were filled with smoke.

Thick fumes blocked his way, forcing him to climb to the roof of the West Street, Old Market, building to call for help.

He was rescued by fire fighters after they reached him by scaling a turntable ladder. Crews wearing breathing apparatus doused the blaze and searched flats on the second and third floors, but the man was the building's only occupant.

He was later taken to hospital by ambulance after suffering smoke inhalation.

The cause of the fire is now under investigation.