RESIDENTS came to the aid of an elderly man whose house went up in flames.

Neighbours rushed to help a man living on Marcella Crescent in Marchwiel amid a "terrifying" fire at his home during the early hours of Wednesday (September 6).

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent three fire engines and an aerial ladder crew to the incident at 2.50am - the cause of which has been deemed accidental.

The fire started in the conservatory of the property and spread to the roof.

A resident, wishing to remain anonymous, lives just a few doors down from the property and was one of the first on scene. "I was woken to the sound of the glass in the conservatory shattering," she said. "It sounded like an explosion."

"There was just black smoke billowing from the conservatory billowing into the air. I shouted his name (the man living at the property). He's a man in his 70s who relies on a Zimmer Frame, and another neighbour and I found him near the conservatory. We were able to walk him to safety."

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The man was then passed into the care of firefighters who arrived at the scene moments later. He received oxygen therapy at the scene but otherwise is unharmed.

"I'm just glad he's ok, as it could have been so much worse," the neighbour said. 

Another neighbour, wishing to remain anonymous, praised the fire service for their efforts. 

He said: "I can't believe there are plans to cut the number of Wrexham firefighters by half. That would be madness. 

"The way they dealt with the incident was so professional and efficient. They were absolutely fantastic. 

"I dread to think what might happen if they're unable to get to incidents like this as quickly or without as many firefighters because of cuts to their service."

A North Wales Fire and Rescue Service consultation remains ongoing into changes to its emergency fire cover.

Two of the three options include cutting the number of firefighters at its busiest station - Wrexham - from 52 to just 28 and axing the second whole-time fire engine.

A Fire Brigades Union spokesperson labelled the potential cuts as 'dangerous', while campaigners have vowed to fight the proposals in Wrexham.