A TAVISTOCK resident and two properties were last weekend saved from harm thanks to the prompt response of people in the area during the early hours of Saturday morning. Firefighters were called to a flat in North Street at around 1.30am by the occupier's friends when they heard a smoke alarm bleeping — the resident had fallen asleep after putting food in the cooker. Firefighters forced entry and one person was rescued from the building. Only minor damage was caused. And just after 3am, a sharp-eyed passer-by called the fire crews to a commercial premises in Brook Street. Two crews from Tavistock and one from Yelverton attended the scene. Four firefighters using breathing apparatus forced entry into the building and using a fire blanket and two dry powder extinguishers, extinguished the fire. Tavistock Fire Station's watch manager, Glenn Arundel, said: 'Only minor damage was caused but had this fire been left a further few minutes a serious fire was inevitable. 'Both incidents had the potential to cause considerable damage but due to other people's rapid action in calling the fire service, both lives and property were saved.'