Friday, July 28, 2006

A lifeguard had a lucky escape – when his pet rat helped save him
from a fire.

Derek Banks, 27, fell asleep with his chip pan on following a night
out with his friends.


But Ratface squeaked so loudly as the smoke filled the flat that he
finally woke up.


Mr Banks, from Carlisle, said: I've got her to thank for being here.
I went into the living room to watch TV.

The next thing I remember was Ratface screeching.' The fire brigade
said he was 15 minutes from death when they arrived at 3am.