A MAN is fighting for his life after being found unconscious in his burning house by firefighters.

The blaze in Longfield Road, Daubhill destroyed the kitchen of a terraced house and ended with a 57-year-old man in hospital in a "critical condition".

He was discovered unconscious and not breathing on the landing of the house at about 4.15am today.

The man, named locally as Nick Baker, suffered severe smoke inhalation and was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital by ambulance after he had been given CPR by firefighters.

The fire, which started in the kitchen and destroyed it, filled the mid-terraced house with smoke, which seeped into the houses next door.

A lot of the smoke went up the stairs, with the kitchen at the bottom of them, in a chimney-like fashion, a fire service spokesman said.

Mr Baker, described by a neighbour as having a "smile for anyone he came across", did not regain consciousness before he was taken to hospital, according to firefighters.

They had been met by anxious neighbours Safia and Yasim Yusuf, after the mother and son had woken to find smoke filling their kitchen.

Crews saw flames coming from the kitchen of Mr Baker's home and entered through the front and back, to locate any casualties and tackle the fire.

Mrs Yusuf, aged 69, moved to Longfield Road only eight months ago, and said: "My son was shouting 'mum, mum, get up and get out, there's a fire'.

"We went outside because the smoke was so thick. We thought out house was on fire but then went out the back and saw it was next door.

"The fire brigade came so quickly. I don't know if he had any family, I never saw anybody coming or going. He is a nice, polite man, who always says hello."

The smoke meant firefighters had to evacuate the next door neighbours while the blaze was dealt with. Mrs Yusuf had to sit in her car until 5.30am before being let back inside.

Bolton Central fire service watch manager Karsten Boyle said: "Neighbours told us a lone male lived there and we then made entry through both the front and rear of the property to locate anyone within the house and tackle the fire.

"We rescued a man on the landing and brought him outside.

"He was unconscious and appeared to be not breathing.

"We started CPR and were assisted by paramedics who arrived as well."

Samantha Stanaway, another neighbour, said: "The firefighters eventually emerged with the man who lives there on his own.

"He seemed limp and lifeless but immediately the firefighters started to perform CPR. As we hoped and prayed that he would start to breathe we were told to return to our houses whilst they tried to extinguish the fire.

"I hope this man makes a complete recovery and my thoughts go to his family.

"He is the type of man that keeps himself to himself but always has a smile for anyone that he comes across.

"This will affect the life of a lovely man."

Mr Baker is thought to work for CPC in Preston, a firm who provide computers and electrical equipment.

A spokesman for the firm said they would not be releasing a statement at this time.

A cause of the fire is still unknown, but police and fire investigators work together throughout the day.

They are not currently treating it as suspicious.

For a free Home Safety Check and advice about how to keep you and your family safe from fire call 0800 555 815