GOOD neighbours in Cleethorpes came to the rescue of a deaf resident when his upstairs flat caught fire.
The man in his 40s was forced to leap to safety after the blaze swept through the flat in Sandringham Road, shortly after 7pm last night.
The man's cat was rescued by firefighters.
Humberside Fire and Rescue Service had three crews at the scene after neighbour Deanna Hanson, 21, raised the alarm.
She told how she became concerned after hearing the sound of a smoke detector.
The young mum said: "I could hear beeping sounds and thought at first it was my gas meter. But then I heard my neighbour yelling for help.
"He was at the window.
"Next thing was he jumped out of the window."
The neighbour told how fire crews were on the scene within minutes and treated the man for the effects of smoke inhalation before the arrival of East Midlands Ambulance Service paramedics.
EMAS paramedic, Graham Green said the victim had suffered a leg injury in his fall from a rear window, as well as the effects of smoke inhalation.
He was taken to Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital Grimsby, where he was described as comfortable.
He said crews had also rescued the man's pet cat which was taken in by one of the neighbours.
Lesley Cooper, who lives next door said her partner had taken the cat to The Blue Cross animal hospital for a check up after being rescued from the burning flat.
She said the man also owned a bearded dragon, but its fate was not known at the time of going to press.
She said: "The chap is deaf and does not sign much.
"He communicates by lip reading. He was shocked.
"We were pleased to help. Round here we are not in each others' houses but we can count on each other."
A spokesman for Humberside Police said officers were on guard at the scene until the property was made secure.
He said: "It is not suspicious."
A Humberside Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said the cause of the fire would be investigated.
