Repeat warning as woman has a lucky escape

A 53-YEAR-OLD woman has been detained in hospital after she tried to tackle a blaze in her living room.

Fire crews were called to the home in Branston Road, Burton, at 12.55pm yesterday and led her to safety.

It came just a day after Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service warned people not to put their lives on the line by trying to put out flames themselves following the death of Ellen Baker.

The pensioner was trying to deal with the blaze that broke out in her house in Cherry Tree Road, Stapenhill, on Monday last week when her clothing caught alight.

She died at Burton’s Queen’s Hospital later that night after suffering severe burns and smoke inhalation.

Firefighters said the woman in yesterday’s blaze was ‘very lucky’ to have escaped with minor injuries.

Station manager Dermot Hogan said: “The woman had called about the incident and fire control had advised her to leave the property.

"However, on arrival we found the woman still inside.

“She had tried to tackle the fire herself and has ended up with a minor burn to her hand.

“She also suffered smoke inhalation, which wouldn’t have happened had she left the property when advised to do so.”

It is thought the fire started after combustible materials were placed too close to a gas fire.

Mr Hogan added: “This woman is incredibly lucky she has escaped with minor injuries.

“A woman died last week tackling a fire herself.

“It is never worth the risk.”