QUICK action by firefighters saved the life of an elderly Redditch woman who was rescued from a bungalow filled with toxic smoke.

Three crews from the town's fire station and one from Bromsgrove were sent to the bungalow in Crabbs Cross Lane after the fire was reported shortly after 2.30am.

When they arrived, they found the house was filled with smoke and the woman trapped inside.

Firefighters, wearing breathing apparatus forced their way in and used hose reels to tackle the fire and ventilation equipment to clear the smoke, and rescued the woman.

She was handed over to West Midlands Ambulance Service, which has sent an ambulance and paramedics to the scene. The ambulance crews started treating her for burns while she was being taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

Station commander Stuart Crebbin of the fire service said: “I would like to thank all of the emergency services that attended this incident for their quick response. Each service played a vital role in bringing the incident to a close by working together. I have no doubt that the rapid action of the first-attending fire crews from Redditch and Bromsgrove has saved the life of the occupier who was trapped by fire.

“The fire started in a bedroom and, although relatively small in size, posed a significant risk due to the large quantities of toxic smoke which filled the room and hallways.”

Group commander Adrian Elliott said: “A fire investigation is currently under way to identify the cause. I would encourage people to test their smoke alarms are working on a weekly basis.

"If you have any vulnerable friends, family or neighbours, help them to test theirs too. If you require further advice on fire safety or would like to call the community risk department to see if you qualify for a free home fire safety check please call 0800 032 1155."

More information on fire safety can also be found on our website at www.hwfire.org.uk.