A MAN was rescued from a blazing first floor flat in Tavistock's West Street late on Tuesday night.
His upstairs neighbours — a young man and his girlfriend — smelt smoke about 11pm and, investigating its source, found the flat alight. They woke him up and all three escaped to call for help.
The man suffered the effects of smoke inhalation and shock, and all three had to be found temporary accommodation.
Chris Neale of Tavistock fire brigade said: 'When we arrived, a very severe fire was developing in the first floor flat.'
It took fire crews from the two Tavistock appliances, and one from Yelverton, four hours to extinguish the blaze.
Mr Neale said the fire appeared to have been caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette, which ignited a settee.
He said: 'The first floor flat lounge was severely damaged by smoke, the rest of the flat was also severely affected by heat and smoke damage, mostly as a result of the doors being left open.'
The second floor flat was also affected by the blaze and the insurance office on the ground floor suffered some water damage.