A RETIREMENT complex was evacuated this morning after a flat burst into flames.

Around 40 pensioners had to be taken out of Victor Court in Thornhill Park Road as a fire caught hold.

Those that lived near the burning flat pushed through thick acrid smoke as they evacuated their homes to the safety of the residents lounge.

The building was surrounded by police, ambulances and fire crews within minutes of the call to the emergency services and they checked each flat for smoke damage and that all residents were ok.

Paramedics treated five people at the scene including the lady whose flat was destroyed and her neighbour who is almost 90.

Another man who has had a stroke was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Resident of three years David McCoy spoke of how he went downstairs and knocked on the doors of his neighbours near the burning flat and helped them through the smoke to safety.

The 67-year-old who has lived there for three years said: "It was just the shock of coming down and seeing the whole corridor thick with acrid smoke. You just think you're in a very bad dream.

"I just wanted to get everyone out.

"The paramedics were absolutely fantastic as were the police and firefighters. The response time was almost next to nothing."