Yahoo News Man in Royal Stoke as brave locals respond to Burslem blaze
A man has been taken to hospital after being rescued from a town centre blaze by brave locals. Firefighters, police and paramedics descended on Burslem's St John's Square where smoke was pouring from a building.
StokeonTrentLive photographer Pete Stonier was among those who rushed to the scene at around 10pm after hearing shouts for help. Pete, who captured the drama after helping out, says a man appeared from the third floor of the building - with workers from different town centre businesses going to help.
Today West Midlands Ambulance Service has confirmed one patient was taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital after suffering suspected smoke inhalation. It was drinkers and staff from eateries and pubs first on the scene at around 10.05pm.
Pete, who made the 999 call, said: "We had just been in the Bull's Head, heard shouting, and went over to see what was happening. A man was trying to get out of the window and shouting for help. There was nothing for him to really hold on to so we were telling him to just hold on. The staff from Caprinos were out helping and we were all just trying to reassure him.
"But we were worried he was going to fall and obviously he seemed pretty scared. The next thing one of the lads from the Bull's Head came across and said they had some ladders.
"We managed to get the ladders up to him and he could just about reach them and we all helped him down. The next thing all the emergency services were there."
Photographs from the scene show the town centre blocked off by emergency services. West Midlands Ambulance Service were called just after 10.05pm.
A spokeswoman said: "We were called to reports of a property fire at St John's Square in Burslem at around 10.07pm.
"Two ambulances, two paramedic officers and to BASICS doctors were sent to the scene. On arrival, crews found a man with suspected smoke inhalation. He received treatment at the scene before being conveyed to Royal Stoke University Hospital."
We are awaiting statements from the police and fire service.
