SPEEDY action from firefighters stopped a "potentially very dangerous" blaze spreading to a neighbouring family's home.

The raging fire broke out in the living room at the front of a three-bedroom semi-detached house in Dales Grove, Walkden, at 6.55am yesterday.

Owner Ross Headley, aged 45, raised the alarm by running to a friend's property on the other side of the tiny cul-de-sac before the flames took hold and raged, destroying the lounge and threatening the next door home.

Station manager James Bridge, the officer in charge, said: "It was a serious property fire. This was potentially a very dangerous incident.

"It was well established when we arrived and the quick actions stopped this from developing into an even more serious incident by spreading to the neighbouring property."

Shocked neighbour Nora Morris said: "The doorbell went at that time in the morning and frightened me to death.

"I came out and Ross was stood there just in his underpants and a T-shirt. He said: 'My house is on fire!'

"He had been unable to find his phone and that's why he ran across.

"A friend next door had to lend him a pair of shoes and a dressing gown. He was sat shaking on the sofa.

"I went across and there was thick black smoke pouring out of the downstairs window.

"All of a sudden there was a gush of flames. I rang 999."

The fire crews, two from Farnworth and one from Agecroft, arrived within minutes and got to work quickly.

Six entered the property with breathing apparatus and the others used three hosereels and thermal imaging cameras to extinguish the blaze and ventilation fans to clear the lingering smoke.

Mrs Morris said: "They were here so fast. The response was fantastic. It was really good."

Mr Headley, who lives alone, was treated for smoke inhalation and taken to Salford Royal Hospital by paramedics.

Mrs Morris said: "His face was black and he said he had tried to put out the fire himself first. Poor chap.

"I have lived here 53 years and this was the first fire we have had.

"It was horrendous but we all look after each other here — it's the Old School Grove."

Mr Bridge said the living room was "100% damaged" by the flames, with the heat stripping the plaster off the walls, exploding the windows and melting guttering, and the rest of the house suffered smoke damage.

He said: "The fire investigation officer is still conducting his investigation but we have no reason to believe there are any suspicious circumstances."

Mr Headley will need to be placed in temporary emergency accommodation and there are concerns for the welfare of his three cats.