A woman was rescued from a burning flat on Wednesday night. Fire crews forced entry into the ground floor flat on Archer Road in Stevenage just after 11.15pm after a neighbour heard a fire alarm and called the emergency services. Three fire crews from S

A woman was rescued from a burning flat on Wednesday night.

Fire crews forced entry into the ground floor flat on Archer Road in Stevenage just after 11.15pm after a neighbour heard a fire alarm and called the emergency services.

Three fire crews from Stevenage and Hitchin found the flat heavily smoke-logged and a woman in her 70s inside asleep.

As the fire crews dealt with the flames, thought to have been caused by a cigarette in a waste paper bin, two ambulance crews treated her for smoke inhalation before taking her to Lister Hospital.

The fire was declared out shortly after 11.30pm.

Station commander Ian Parkhouse, who was at the scene, said: "The smoke alarm undoubtedly saved the occupant from serious injury. This incident once again highlights that smoke alarms save lives, and we urge all residents to install a smoke detector in their home.

"If you smoke, remember to check that cigarettes are out properly - when you've finished with them wet them and empty your ashtray into a metal bin outside the house."

He urged anyone who wanted a free home safety check to call the Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service on freephone 0800 5873347.