Firefighters have been carrying out safety checks at properties in Carlisle after a dramatic rescue.

A man was taken to hospital following a house fire in Raven Nook, of Greystone Road.

Fire crews had to break into the ground floor flat to rescue him.

The man, believed to be in his 20s, suffered serious smoke inhalation and was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary by ambulance.

It happened in the early hours of Saturday morning, at about 2am, in Raven Nook, off Greystone Road.

The property's smoke alarm did sound, helping to alert neighbours and the emergency services.

Fire crews have since been performing safety checks on surrounding properties.

This included checking that smoke alarms were working.

A fire spokesman said it is standard practice to perform a "hot strike" on neighbouring properties immediately after a fire as statistically there can be a pattern of incidents.

Investigations have also been carried out at the flat to try and determine the cause of the blaze.

Three fire crews, from Carlisle East, Carlisle West and Longtown, attended the Raven Nook fire.

They had to act quickly, smashing a window to get in.

They then pulled the man to safety and handed him over to paramedics.

It is believed he has now been released from hospital. Firefighters said he'd had a lucky escape.

The property was badly smoke damaged.

Neighbours said they were woken in the early hours.

Some heard the smoke alarm sound, others saw the lights from the emergency vehicles.