FOUR firemen were buried alive under tons of rubble after a roof collapsed on top of them early this morning.

The firefighters were trapped under smouldering roof timbers and tiles but miraculously suffered just minor injuries and were released from hospital after treatement.

It took more than five minutes to reach the victims and drag them to safety. Senior fireman Frank McGowan and his colleagues Jim Bridge, Jack Burns and John Bridges were treated at hospital overnight and were being allowed home later today.

The incident happened as the firefighters from Bolton central and Farnworth stations were damping down a fire-gutted storeroom on the first floor of Bolton Bed Centre in Derby Street.

Sub officer Fraser-Jones said it was every firefighter's worst nightmare.

"I was outside the building when I heard a huge crashing noise," he said.

"We ran inside to find the men. Station officer Frank McGowan was trapped by the legs. We could also see firefighters Jim Bridge and John Bridges on the floor, but firefighter Jack Burns was completely buried by rubble."

It took more than five minutes scrabbling with their hands for sub officer Fraser Jones and his colleagues Simon Connor, Dave Brants and Simon Hollingworth to clear the debris and free Jack Burns. Station officer McGowan said: "It all happened so quickly.

"The roof just crashed down. Something hit me on the head,

I fell to the floor and my legs were trapped. The firefighters who rescued us ran in without hesitation.

"They did what any colleague would have done in the circumstances but it was still a brave thing to do."

Leading firefighter Jim Bridge, aged 33, said: "When the smoke cleared we couldn't see firefighter Burns. He was completely covered and we feared the worst. Somehow he escaped. We were all really lucky."

The four trapped firemen were taken to hospital in a fire engine for treatment but were later discharged. Simon Connor also needed treatment for arm and neck injuries he received during the rescue.