Council officers are investigating after a fire nearly claimed the life of a resident whose smoke alarm failed to work.

Steve Adamson was taken to hospital with smoke inhalation after fire engulfed his Manningham ground floor flat.

Now angry residents are demanding action. They say their lives are at risk because, despite them paying nearly £4 a week for a Careline service, it seldom works.

Fire officers believe the fire was caused by an electrical overload and say Mr Adamson is lucky to be alive today.

Bradford station officer David Swales said it was a very severe fire. "We were called to the premises and found the gentleman had managed to get out of the flat and was lying outside. One room was completely engulfed. It was a very severe fire and there were big sheets of flames coming into the hall. It is understood then man was asleep in bed and was woken by the smell.

"If he hadn't woken up at that time there is no doubt that he would not have got out."

Yesterday morning's fire is not believed to be suspicious.

Mr Swales said: "There were a lot of computers in the room and it could be that the sockets were overloaded.

"There was a smoke alarm connected to Careline but it was not working and that is currently being investigated."

Today a spokesman for the Council's housing department said: "The cause of the fire and the effectiveness of the detection and alarm systems is currently being investigated as a matter of urgency."

But angry residents say they have been battling for improved Careline facilities for more than two years. Neighbour Sajjad Shah said: "Steve is a great guy, he keeps himself to himself and he is well-liked but he could have died in this fire.

"What if there had been kids in the flat and they hadn't been able to get out? The smoke alarm should have been connected to Careline and the emergency services would have arrived straightaway."

Mr Adamson, who suffers severe health problems and needs regular oxygen, was treated for smoke inhalation at Bradford Royal Infirmary.