AN ELDERLY woman was taken to hospital yesterday after emergency services responded to a fire alarm set off by cooking.

The woman was found with minor injuries, her smoke alarm was going off due to food being prepared, but there was no fire.

Police evacuated the neighbouring properties on Bilford Avenue.

A spokesman for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: "Three crews were called at 20:13 on 6 August to reports of a fire in Bilford Avenue, Worcester.

"On arrival, crews gained access to find one elderly female casualty and administered first aid. The casualty was handed over to the care of paramedics who had also attended."

The police were also called to the scene. A spokesman for West Mercia Police said: “We were alerted to a fire on Bilford Avenue by the Fire and Rescue Service shortly after 8.20pm.

"We attended in order to support their response by putting a cordon in place and assisting with the evacuation of neighbouring properties.”