999 men save . . . a rat!

SAVING lives is all in the line of duty for brave firefighters - even if it means resuscitating a rat.

They were called on to save the life of one of student Sarah Natali's pet rats after he knocked over a candle and set fire to her bedroom.

The pet rat climbed on to the window sill and pushed a tealight against her curtain.

The room filled with smoke and the fire brigade was called.

By the time they arrived, the six-month-old black and white rat - named Telemicus after an ancient Greek hero - was singed and gasping for air.

Firemen had no hesitation in placing an oxygen mask over the rat's face -and in no time at all he was breathing easily.

Sarah, aged 24, of Tong Road, Little Lever, who has three pet rats, said: "I just heard his squealing, then the curtains went up in flames.

"Before I knew it, the room was full of smoke and the flames were on the ceiling. I grabbed Artemis, another of my rats, and left the room."

The other rats, Telemicus and Oscar, were left in the burning bedroom for about 20 minutes while the firefighters arrived and dealt with the blaze, which wrecked the room and filled the house with smoke.

Sarah said: "The firefighters gave me oxygen and then offered to give it to Telemicus because he was in a bad way."

Oscar was okay.

Jim Bridge, watch manager at Farnworth fire station, said: "I have rescued all sorts of animals before and once gave oxygen to a dog, but giving oxygen to a rat was a new experience for me.

"It was difficult to tell if he was conscious, but he soon returned to his normal, lively self."

Sarah said: "The firefighters were so kind.Telemicus is a bit burned on the ear and paw and he will go to the vet soon.

"But he might not have been here at all if it hadn't been for the firefighters."