Four fire engines from across Tayside rushed to the property in Forfar’s Threewells Drive around 9.30am after alarmed neighbours noticed smoke billowing from the first floor window.

The occupant, named locally as Bob Watson (39), was trapped in the bedroom of the home he shares with twin brother Colin after the blaze broke out in a cupboard in the building.

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly forced entry and remove the man to safety.

Watch manager Alan Shepherd said, “I would call this a very serious fire. Crews were met with dense smoke and heat but located the victim quickly.”

Neighbours looked on in horror as he was treated by paramedics before being taken away by ambulance.

Student Melissa McKenzie (16), who lives in one of the neighbouring houses, had been alerted to the fire when her horrified mum spotted fire engines and police cars in the street.

She said, “It’s a big shock. “We saw one man being taken away in the ambulance.”

Chief Inspector Jennifer Thornton said, “The man was treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation and taken to Ninewells Hospital.

“An investigation into the cause of the fire will be carried out.”