IN PICTURES: Man, 78, taken to hospital after putting out electric blanket blaze
An elderly man was taken to hospital after an electric blanket set fire to his home.
Emergency crews rushed to the blaze on Thursday evening along Havacre Lane, Coseley.
It was caused by an eight-year-old faulty electric blanket setting light to his first-floor bedroom, which was left destroyed.
The 78-year-old man managed to put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher before emergency crews arrived.
He was treated for smoke inhalation on the scene before being taken to Russells Hall Hospital.
Tipton fire service had tweeted to say the resident was a 'very lucky man' to escape unharmed.
One fire crew from Tipton and one from Bilston were called to the scene.
West Midlands Fire Service spokesman Matthew Smith said they had received a 999 call to the fire at 6.57pm.
Firefighter Gareth Richards from Tipton Fire Station, who attended the scene, said: "The fire had gone from the bed to the floor boards.
"It was extinguished by the occupant but the room was significantly damaged.
"We warn everyone to check their electric blankets regularly, as if the copper wire becomes damaged it can begin to smoulder and cause dangerous circumstances such as this."
Electric blankets are blankets that can be heated using electronic devices inside them.
