A WOMAN was taken to hospital and a house was badly damaged after a kitchen fire in Stanch Hill Road, Sawtry. According to the fire service, the fire started on the stove. An elderly woman who was in the house when the fire started, managed to escape befo

A WOMAN was taken to hospital and a house was badly damaged after a kitchen fire in Stanch Hill Road, Sawtry.

According to the fire service, the fire started on the stove. An elderly woman who was in the house when the fire started, managed to escape before the firefighters arrived but she suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital by paramedics.

Kevin Napier, crew manager at Huntingdon, said: "Luckily, this woman was able to get out of the house, but still required hospital treatment for smoke inhalation.

"This is a reminder to all residents about the importance of having a working smoke alarm in their homes and also the dangers of leaving cooking unattended for any length of time.

"A fire can start very quickly and just because you are in the house at the time doesn't mean that it will always be easy to escape.

"Anyone who would like more information on how to prevent fire in the home should sign up for a free home fire safety check by contacting their local fire station.