A PENSIONER helped to drag his neighbour from a burning first floor flat.

Fire crews were called to the property in Crawford Close, Freshbrook, on Thursday where they found the resident of the flat, who is thought to have been in his 30s, had been rescued before they arrived.

Investigations are still under way to determine the cause of the blaze.

A resident who lives nearby, who did not want to be named, said: “I saw a lot of smoke and flames, I didn’t even realise whose flat it was until I walked around to the front.

“It looks like the window has blown out and it stinks.

“I have got a friend who lives underneath. My friend underneath him and his next door neighbour dragged him out. I was surprised, because my friend is 70.

“They dragged him out and put him on the grass and waited for the authorities to get help to him, which was very fast.

“He was moved straight away because of fear of infection. He is a nice kid.”

The man was taken to Great Western Hospital in an Ambulance.

Crews from Westlea, Swindon, Stratton and an aerial appliance from Swindon attended the scene at 12.24pm.

The British Red Cross fire and emergency support vehicle and the ambulance service also attended.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “The flat was severely damaged by fire.

One adult male was rescued by residents prior to the arrival of the fire service. He has been taken to hospital.

“Everybody else was accounted for the surrounding properties were checked.

“Members of the public who performed the rescue were checked by the ambulance service.”

Four breathing apparatus wearers used two hose reel jets to put out the fire. “Everybody evicted themselves, we did not have to bring anybody out.”

A spokesman for the Great Western Ambulance Service said they were called to reports of smoke coming from a building and there was a possibility people were inside.

They treated one patient for smoke inhalation and another for minor burns to his arms.

Both were taken to Great Western Hospital.