A WOMAN in her 80s was saved from an electrical fire at her home by her smoke alarm.

The elderly lady was asleep in her apartment, one of a number at the Old School House in Beckford, near Pershore.

"She was woken by the sound of her smoke alarm, which may well have saved her life," said Alec Mackie, spokesman for Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade.

However the elderly woman had trouble escaping.

"She struggled to find the key to her door," said Mr Mackie.

He stressed the fire authority's message that people should make sure their escape routes are clear in the event of a fire.

Appliances from Evesham and Tewkesbury were called to the scene and breathing apparatus and two hose reels were used to tackle to fire shortly before 5am today.

"The fire was caused by an electrical fault going into one of the properties," said Mr Mackie.

The woman was attended to by ambulance crews and was given the all the clear. The building suffered mostly smoke damage.