A PENSIONER says she feels lucky to be alive after a blaze broke out in her neighbour’s Port home.

Evelyn Galloway was watching TV at her home in Highholm Street when she was startled by a bang at the door.

She was met by her neighbour who told her she had to get out quick because of a fire in her adjacent neighbour Jim Gisbey’s home.

Evelyn said: “I was sitting eating an ice lolly and watching The Avengers when I heard a bang at the door.

“It was my neighbour Stephen from upstairs and he said ‘quick, Jim’s house is on fire’.

“I then saw the smoke.

“He helped me get out, as I suffer from sciatica and I find it difficult to walk.

“He got my two walking sticks and my coat and we made our way outside.

“When we got out I saw the police and fire brigade, they were all so helpful.

“I never got back into my house until after 1am but a few kind neighbours let me and a few others take refuge which was very nice of them.

“I do feel lucky to be alive and I want to thank Stephen and all the emergency services for helping to save my life.”

Evelyn was among 10 people evacuated from the Port Glasgow tenement just before 9pm on Thursday night.

A team of 25 firefighters and three ambulances rushed to the scene. Fire crews had to battle thick black smoke to rescue Mr Gisbey, who is in his 60s.

He was taken to hospital suffering from severe smoke inhalation but sadly his dog perished in the fire.

Evelyn added: “Jim’s a good neighbour and everybody loved his wee dog Whisky.”

Fire group manager Ritchie Duncan said they were alerted to Thursday’s fire by members of the public.

He said: “We received repeat calls from different members of the public.

“There were four fire engines, and a special operations ambulance team from Johnstone and when crews arrived they were met with thick, black acrid smoke and the man had collapsed in the living room.

“The conditions were extremely hazardous for firefighters and members of the public.”

Mr Duncan added: “The man was taken to Inverclyde Royal and two other people were also taken to hospital – a man suffering from chest pains and a woman in her 20s – both suffering from slight smoke inhalation.

“This man was very fortunate that he was rescued as he didn’t have a working smoke alarm and one of the neighbours in the close alerted the fire service.”

“Severe smoke inhalation is potentially fatal.”

Anyone who wants a fire safety visit should call 722222 (Greenock) or 741222 (Port Glasgow) or visit www.firescotland.gov.uk