Woman rescued from bedroom fire

The nearby A31 was closed while the rescue took place

A 74-year-old woman has been rescued from a house fire in Dorset.

Crews from across east Dorset were called to the home on Braeside Road in St Leonards on Sunday afternoon.

The fire began when a wall light fell onto a pillow in an upstairs bedroom. The woman was alerted by a smoke alarm and went up to investigate.

She called 999 and was rescued from a top floor window by crews using a 30ft (9m) ladder. The woman needed hospital treatment for smoke inhalation.

Phil Abraham, fire investigation officer, said: "The lady was very lucky to be alive.

"Although we are of course delighted that she is safe and well, we would always advise people, wherever possible, to get out of the building and stay out.

"The family had a working smoke alarm and that gave off the first warning, which just goes to show that they can and do save lives."