Oldham mum's instinct saved lives from Failsworth house fire

On Friday, at 6.30pm Kim Macnally dialled 999 asking for the fire brigade after 'instinctively' looking out her window and spotting black smoke coming from her neighbour's home in Failsworth.

At the time the neighbour was out of her home on Propps Hall Drive and it was thanks to the 60-year-old's instinct that the two dogs inside were rescued.

She said: "It was my next door neighbour but one and I was just watching telly when I had this urge to look outside. I paused what I was watching went to the window and saw all this smoke coming out of the roof.

Quick-thinking Kim Macnally saved the lives of two dogs locked in her neighbour's home (Image: Newsquest)

"Me and another neighbour were banging on the window and the two dogs were in the kitchen.

"The neighbour next door to where the smoke was coming from and my husband got her out the house because the smoke was going into her home through the roof."

The quick-thinking mum-of-one told The Oldham Times that Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) freed the dogs on arrival, put them on oxygen, gave them water, and extinguished the fire.

The former pharmacist, who now works at Martin's bakery on Lord Lane, explained that she has lived in her semi-detached home on the quiet cul-de-sac for 37 years and never experienced drama like this.

Propps Hall Drive, Failsworth (Image: Google Street View)

Kim continued: "At the time we didn't know if anyone was in there, the neighbours came out when they heard us shouting for the tenant because we thought she might be in.

"The tenant was out as far as I know, later on after that when we all went in, she came back and we didn't see her."

A spokesperson for GMFRS added: “At just before 6.40pm on Friday, three fire engines from Blackley, Philips Park and Hollins fire station were called to reports of a fire involving the kitchen of a semi-detached home on Propps Hall Drive, Failsworth.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels to extinguish the fire. Two dogs were also rescued from the property and given oxygen therapy. Crews made the scene safe and were in attendance for around two hours.”