A DAD-OF-THREE who rescued a woman from a suspected arson attack in Horwich says he did not think twice about running into the smoke-filled home.

Ambulance worker Rai Hirst was watching television with his wife on Friday evening when someone banged on his door to tell him there was a blaze at a nearby house.

The 35-year-old, who works in an ambulance control room in Preston, ran round to the property in Gooch Street before kicking down the door and running into the home.

Mr Hirst, of Watts Street, said: “It was very scary and something I would never like to do again. I’ve had trouble sleeping since it happened.

“The day after, I felt like I’d smoked 20 cigarettes in one from the smoke. But I didn’t have time to think about it.

“My wife and I were watching TV and all of a sudden we heard screaming and shouting and someone was banging on the door.

 “I didn’t think – I just ran round to the house and went through the front door. There was smoke everywhere. I ran upstairs and grabbed the woman who was struggling to breathe and got her outside as soon as I could.

“If it wasn’t for my job I probably wouldn’t have had a clue what to do. I am no hero – if anything I probably acted a bit too rashly. It was scary – my heart was racing. Thankfully other neighbours came to help too before the ambulance and fire crews arrived.”

Firefighters from Bolton Central were called to tackle the blaze at about 7.45pm on Friday.

A spokesman for the fire service said a neighbour kicked the front door in and pulled the woman to safety.

Police and fire investigators are now looking into how the fire started.

A spokesman for the fire service said the blaze started on the landing.

It is believed the fire was started deliberately.

Watch manager Ian Reid said: “We will be working with the police to determine what happened.”

A man, aged 27, and a woman, aged 26, have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent.