Disabled man rescued after setting his wheelchair on fire

A disabled man had to be rescued by firefighters after accidentally setting his wheelchair alight.

Firefighters said the 62-year-old forgot to put out his cigarette before climbing into bed and woke to find the wheelchair in flames.



He phoned for the fire service at around 1.20am on Friday and told them he was unable to get himself out because of his disability.

Three crews - consisting of around 18 firefighters – went to the fire at the Cornmill building in Hawick, in the Scottish Borders. The man was rescued from the burning bedroom and given oxygen at the scene by ambulance staff after suffering mild smoke inhalation, but did not require to be taken to hospital.