'Safety leaflets helped me in terrifying flat fire'

Thomas Harris was one of the last people to be evacuated from the flat fire

The last of 50 residents to be evacuated from a "terrifying" flat fire said he helped shelter his neighbours after remembering fire safety advice from leaflets posted through his front door.

Thomas Harris and his family were safely rescued from the blaze at Rynet Court, in Marsh House Lane, Warrington on Monday.

The fire, which broke out at about 17:20 BST in the stairwell, left many trapped as crews from across Cheshire tackled the blaze for several hours.

Mr Harris said despite seeing the smoke he knew "exactly what to do" to keep his grandson, family and other neighbours sheltering in his flat safe.

Firefighters wearing breathing equipment were sent in to try to bring the fire under control, while a cordon was set up to keep people away from the scene.

Crews remained at the flats overnight, monitoring for hotspots and continuing to damp down.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said no serious injuries had been reported and an investigation is underway into the cause of the fire.

People were reported to have been rescued from the upper floors of the building

One woman said she had had to pass her six-year-old son to safety from her first floor window as flames and plumes of black smoke billowed out from the building shortly after the fire broke out.

Mr Harris, who has lived on the second floor in the block of flats for five years, said it was "terrifying" to see smoke in the stairwell.

"I was unsure at first but I knew what to do as we actually get fire leaflets through the door that say exactly what to do in this situation," he said.

"I shut the door and put a wet towel at the bottom of the door and then just waited for the fire brigade."

Crews rescued people through the windows and balconies of the third and fourth floor

Mr Harris said when more than 30 firefighters arrived, he shouted that he and his family were safe thanks to their large open balcony.

"It was a while after the engines first got there that they got access into mine over the balcony," he told the BBC.

He said: "They went through mine with the hose pipes to make sure it was all clear.

"I had a few neighbours in mine because they used mine as a safe exit point and after a bit of time they cut the balcony off and the cherry picker type fire engine came and took us all out."

Crews remained at the flats overnight to check the building for hotspots

A nearby Territorial Army centre was opened up as a relief centre to house the 50 residents evacuated from the second, third and fourth floors of the flats.

Mr Harris said "a lot of people are shocked and just unsure what is going to happen next", but added fire crews and the local council have been supportive.