A 99-year-old woman was rescued from her burning home after an electric blanket caught fire in the early hours of this morning.
Fortunately the woman was not in bed when the fire broke out at her bungalow in Laburnum Grove, Brighouse.
Neighbours raised the alarm at 2.45am and firefighters from Cleckheaton, Halifax and Odsal attended.
The woman was found by firefighters in the living room and was suffering breathing difficulties as smoke filled her home.
She was rescued by the firefighters and left in the care of the ambulance service.
Her condition is not known.
Cleckheaton Watch Commander Anthony Devine said: “We were called to a serious house fire at a bungalow in Laburnum Grove, Brighouse, to reports of a person trapped.
“On arrival we located a 99-year-old woman in the living room and she was taken to safety and treated by paramedics.
“The fire had started in the bedroom and it is believed to be caused by an electric blanket.
“The fire damage was contained to the bedroom but the remainder of the property was heavily smoke logged.”
Watch Commander Devine added: “We would like to issue a general safety message to anyone who uses an electric blanket, or has relatives or friends who use one, to ensure they are serviced annually
“If your blanket or any part of the wiring shows any possible danger signs, you should have it checked or replaced.
“The fire service also offers free home safety checks to ensure all preventable steps are taken in the event of a fire in your home.”
Fire experts tell people using electrical blankets to store themt flat or rolled up rather than folded as this damages the internal wiring.
For more information on home safety checks call 01274 68231 or email information@westyorksfire.gov.uk
