AN elderly man and his neighbours were rescued from a fire in West Cross in the early hours.

Emergency services were called to Cartersford Place around 12.30am yesterday, where a fire had taken grip in a ground floor flat.

Police officers who first attempted to enter the property were beaten back by smoke, and firefighters needed breathing apparatus to get to the first floor to rescue two men living upstairs.

One, Alan Dunster, was treated by paramedics and kept in overnight at Morriston Hospital.

He said: "When I opened the door it was like a thick wall of smoke — it was solid.

The former warden of Port Eynon hostel added: "I could not see anything — I was terrified."

Crews from Swansea west and Swansea central fire stations extinguished the blaze and the building was cleared of smoke using a pressure fan.

The ground floor flat suffered serious damage whilst the three other flats in the block suffered extensive smoke damage.

Another first floor resident, Mike Webbern, said: "I was having my dinner when the smoke alarm went off, which isn't unusual.

"It is usually someone who has burnt their chips or something.

"But then the fire brigade was banging on my door, and once I opened it there was so much smoke I could not see.

''They told me to get out and it was bloody scary.

"I had to go and stay with my sister."

Fire service incident commander, station manager Craig Thomas said: "On arrival at the incident we were confronted with a well- developed fire that had taken hold of a ground floor flat. Police officers on the scene were attempting to evacuate the other three flats in the block, but had been beaten back by the smoke.

"Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the flat to extinguish the fire, whilst a further two firefighters rescued two elderly males from the top two flats. The three men were treated by paramedics and taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation."

He added: "The gentleman had a very lucky escape from what was a serious blaze. "Fortunately he was alerted to the fire by the smoke alarms fitted in his flat, which demonstrates what a life saving and essential item they are in every home.

"We would like to take this opportunity to remind members of the public how essential a smoke alarm is to avoid such dangerous situations."

Work had been carried out to secure the property by yesterday morning."

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service can carry out free Home Fire Safety Check for any member of the community, including the installation of free smoke alarms.

Call 0800 169 1234 to book an appointment, or visit the website www.mawwfire.gov.uk.

nino.williams@swwmedia.co.uk