Two paramedics and a pensioner required hospital treatment after a blaze at a property in Norfolk

A paramedic who was rescued from a burning flat has had his favourite stethoscope replaced after his was destroyed in the blaze

The casualty, who he was treating using an oxygen cylinder, lit a cigarette which sparked a fire that instantly engulfed the room and blocked James’ escape route

More firefighters are to get medical training to offer life saving first aid at the scene of an emergency

New life saving equipment is being given to firefighters as part of scheme working with other emergency services. The kit will be carried in a specially designed backpack on all fire engines at Barnet, Finchley, Hendon and Mill Hill fire stations.

More than 500 emergency vehicles on 999 calls crashed last year in Lancashired. Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show police cars, ambulances and fire engines crashed 592 times on the county’s streets in 2008.