A pensioner of 83 was saved from her smoke-filled flat after blacking out as she fried mushrooms - because she had a smoke alarm.

Flora Howey, of Hanover Gardens, Bicester, was rescued by fire crews after they knocked her door down.

A 999 call had gone out after her smoke alarm sent a distress signal to a Wiltshire control centre. Fire crews, police and an ambulance rushed to the scene at 3pm yesterday.

Mrs Howey was given oxygen and taken to hospital as a precaution.

Hanover Housing Association estate manager Pat Nicholls said: "The control centre in Chippenham tried to get her on the intercom but got no answer, so they called the fire brigade. "She must have fallen asleep or maybe been startled by the smoke detector going off while she was cooking.

"The police knocked her door down but she was awake when they got inside. She was very confused about what was going on and was very shaky."

Mrs Howey, whose daughter lives in Bicester, was not hurt. Her electric cooker was slightly damaged by fire and the kitchen was smoke- logged.

A fire service spokesman said: "It appeared that the lady collapsed while doing her cooking and when she came to, she found that the premises were smoke-logged. "The alarmed care centre heard the smoke detector activating and it was owing to this prompt action that we were able to get there and rescue the lady before any serious damage was done.

"It was because of the smoke detector that the story has turned into a success rather than a tragedy."

Story date: Monday 15 March

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