Woman, 93, escapes pan fire

A 93-year-old woman went to hospital after seeing a blaze wreck the house neighbours said she had lived much of her life.

A suspected chip pan fire sent flames ripping through the ground floor of the semi-detatched property in Nelson Avenue, Bilston.

Edna Burton, who lives alone, managed to get out and was found in her front garden by two young girls.

She was taken to the home of neighbour Keith Richards until emergency services arrived. Mr Richards, whose daughter Megan, 10, and a friend found the pensioner leaning against her front fence, said: "She was in quite a bad way.

"She has lived in that house for most of her life."

Fire crew commander Dave Horton said: "It is very fortunate that the elderly lady had managed to get out because by the time we arrived flames were shooting five metres into the air from the property."

The fire started at 4.40pm yesterday. It destroyed the living room, kitchen and conservatory. The pensioner went to New Cross Hospital suffering smoke effects.