AN ELDERLY Ipswich man didn't expect to make headlines after watching the news on television.But that's just what happened to Wasyl Gechko after a blaze broke out in the bathroom of his council-owned flat.
AN ELDERLY Ipswich man didn't expect to make headlines after watching the news on television.
But that's just what happened to Wasyl Gechko after a blaze broke out in the bathroom of his council-owned flat.
Ukrainian born Wasyl, aged 80, was in front of the television in the living room of his home Little Gipping Street when he heard a noise and went to investigate.
He saw smoke coming from the bathroom and immediately alerted his next-door neighbour, who called the fire service.
Wasyl, who has lived in Britain for over 60 years, said of the drama: "The news had just finished when I heard a crackle and thought something had happened outside.
"I looked and smelt smoke but didn't see anything. Then I went back inside and opened the bathroom door and smoke came out. I opened the windows and shut the bathroom door.
"I don't know what caused the fire but I think there may be a fault with the fan. It has been going a few months without stopping so I think it may have overheated."
Crews from Princes Street used breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze, which happened just after 1.30 pm on Thursday. Council officials arrived shortly after to survey the damage.
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