A PASSERBY’S quick thinking “potentially saved the life” of a Walney resident after a pan caught fire in her kitchen.

David Lipscombe, 44, from Smeaton Street, Barrow, was visiting his mother when he heard a smoke alarm going off in a house on Lorne Road.

He said: “There was no fire visible but soon some smoke started coming out of a side window and I could smell burning.

“I thought normally if you hear a smoke alarm going off the owners would have a door or window open to let out the smoke.

“I notified the owner’s mother who tried the door but we couldn’t get in.

“We realised the owner was in the property so I called the fire bridge straight away.

“It just shows you should make sure there’s batteries in your alarm. I know they are a pain going off but they do save lives.”

Fire crews from Barrow, Walney and Ulverston were called to the scene at 7.20pm on Thursday to tackle the fire.

The lady was carried outside by firefighters.

She suffered from mild smoke inhalation and was taken to Furness General Hospital in Barrow by the North West Ambulance Service for treatment.

Paul Milburn, 44, station manager at Barrow Fire Station, who was at the incident, said: “It’s important to always treat a smoke alarm seriously as if there may be a real fire.

“The actions taken by the member of the public were the correct steps and they potentially saved someone’s life.

“I would like to congratulate and thank the gentleman who called in.”