A man out for morning rolls put his life at risk trying to rescue someone from a flat fire in Dundee.
Jim Stirling entered a smoke engulfed block on Provost Road after hearing a man was still inside during a blaze on Saturday morning.
The 57-year-old had been at nearby Rough & Fraser bakers when he heard an “almighty bang” as the fire took hold shortly after 7am.
Staff from the bakery rushed out and were shouting for people to get out before Jim approached the block to help.
The apprenticeship officer said one of the resident’s faces was blackened with ash as he fled.
The man Jim tried to save was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Jim, who lives nearby, said: “A man was on the path, he was a wee bit disorientated and his face was covered in black ash.
“I thought it had been his flat but he said someone was still inside and they told me his name.
“The close was already filled with smoke but I wanted to try and help get the guy out.”
Before the arrival of emergency services Jim asked another resident to give him access back into the block.
Smoke was ‘so intense’ during Provost Road fire
He added: “When I got into the close I could hear him shouting and I kicked his front door to gain access.
“Thick black smoke filled the air and I could see there were flames visible in what I think was the living room.
“He was shouting for me to kick another door in but I couldn’t find him.
“I put the torch on my phone and told him if he could see the light from the torch but the smoke was just so intense.
“There was no more shouting so I had to come back out.
“The close had become so dark with smoke I was struggling to get out of the block.”
Whilst Jim and another man were initially checked over at the scene a 49-year-old man was rushed to Ninewells Hospital with serious injuries.
Jim was checked over and says he hopes the injured man is recovering in hospital.
He said: “I came back to get my car after I was released from hospital and I could see emergency services were carrying out their investigation.
“I hope this man makes a full recovery, I was just sorry I couldn’t get him out.”
Police Scotland confirmed they are still investigating the circumstances of the fire.
A spokesman said: “Around 7.15am on Saturday police were called to a report of a fire within a block of flats on Provost Road, Dundee.
“A 49-year-old man was taken to Ninewells Hospital with serious injuries, where he remains.
“Inquiries to establish the circumstances of the fire remain ongoing.”
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