FIREFIGHTERS have praised the quick actions of flat occupants who almost certainly prevented a fire from spreading in the centre of Dart­mouth.

A man had to be treated for smoke inhalation after a blaze in a second-floor flat on Sunday night.

Two fire engines from Dart­mouth and one from Brixham were called to Church Close around 5.10pm after a report of a fire in a kitchen.

Dartmouth station commander Neil Whitemore, officer in charge, said: 'On arrival we were met by the occupier of the flat and a neighbour who stated they had attempted to fight the fire but the flat was still smoke logged.

'Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were committed with a hose reel jet.

'The second floor kitchen was heavily smoke logged by a fire involving a cooker.

'The occupier had placed a fire blanket over the pan on the cooker.

'The fire alarms had activated alerting the occupants of the other flats.

'On hearing the alarm, one male went to investigate and assisted with repositioning the fire blanket and isolating the supply before both evacuating the premises and shutting the doors behind them.

'Firefighters removed the pan and blanket to the open air and vented the smoke-logged flat and ensured that there were no hot spots.

'The actions that were taken initially by the occupant of the flat and then the neighbour are to be applauded and definitely prevented the fire developing, which would have quickly spread to the roof area in a built-up part of the town.

'Obviously we do not promote people to put themselves in danger.

'The most important factor is to have working smoke alarms and that you leave the premises, closing any doors and to call the fire service.'

The occupier was checked by paramedics at the scene and the neighbour was given oxygen therapy by the fire service. Neither required hospital treatment.

The cause of the fire was accidental, said Mr Whitemore.