Unlucky firefighter is bitten by cat he was trying to save

Crews were called to a electrical cupboard on fire at a property next to Leigh Cats and Dogs Home at around 3pm on Wednesday (January 6).

Firefighters equipped with breathing apparatus went in to put the fire out and discovered three dogs and two cats in the property on Graveoak Lane.

Whilst rescuing one of the cats, they bit a firefighter on the hand whilst they went to rescue it.

The firefighter, from Leigh fire station, is now recovering with a dose of antiseptic.

All the animals were rescued and are in a good condition.

Nobody else was in the property of the time of the fire which crews from Leigh and Atherton and Birchwood managed to put out and was confined to the electrical cupboard.

Phillip Mellor, station manager at Leigh fire station, said: "The crew member is now recovering and is fine with a bit of antiseptic.

"The cats and dogs are all fine. The cats did have to use a pet oxygen mask but they're okay now.

"The fire was limited to the electrical cupboard and was caused by electrical overheating.

"The area was very smoke logged but we put the fire out quickly and with there being little damage."