TWO police officers instinctively entered an Ipswich flat filled with black smoke to rescue an unconscious man.

TWO police officers have been hailed as heroes after pulling an unconscious man from a flat fire in Ipswich.

Pc Nick Rush and Pc Rob Hinton were said to be “in the right place at the right time” following the drama in Vernon Street, on Saturday.

A chip pan fire had broken out at around 2am, filling the flat with thick smoke.

A police spokesman said: “A man came running out of a block of flats stating there was a fire in one of the flats and he couldn't wake his friend, the occupant.

Fire crews were called and the incident was brought under control.

He added: “The officers happened to be on patrol in the area at the right place at the right time, and officers instinctively entered the pitch black flat and located the male and pulled him out to safety.”