THE British submariner who launched the torpedoes that sank the General Belgrano in the Falklands War has survived a blaze at his home.
Bill Budding escaped from the first-floor window of his semi-detached house in Thurso, Caithness, after a fire broke out. He was helped by a passer-by.
Mr Budding was taken to hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.
Two appliances from Thurso and one from Wick attended. Firefighters said his life was saved after he had been alerted to the blaze by his smoke alarm.
A spokesman for the fire service said: "This highlights how important it is that people have a smoke detector and that it is in working order."
Mr Budding, 68, helped defend the islands against Argentine forces and the loss of the Belgrano was a turning point in the war. A total of 323 people went down with the 200-yard-long ship - accounting for more than half of Argentine deaths in the war.
After the Falklands War, Mr Budding retired from the Navy and took over a pub at Bower in Caithness. He is now retired.
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