Woman collapses in blaze at Cradley Heath house
An elderly woman was found collapsed at her home in the Black Country after a blaze broke out in the kitchen.
Firefighters discovered the unconscious pensioner nearby.
She is believed to have suffered severe smoke inhalation during the fire, which happened yesterday.
Crews were called to the terraced house in Bearmore Road, Cradley Heath, at 4.45pm.
The woman was taken to Sandwell Hospital in a "very poorly" condition.
West Midlands Fire spokesman Dave Burns said: "The fire itself was not serious but the elderly lady living there has taken in a fair amount of smoke."
It is believed a neighbour or passer-by raised the alarm after seeing smoke billowing from the rear of the house. Crews from Smethwick and Cradley Heath were called to the scene.
Fire investigators have visited the property to identify the cause of the blaze.
In Birmingham, a woman died after inhaling smoke at a fire in her home in the Aston area of the city.
The fire service is withholding further details until her relatives have been informed.
Fire crews were called to the semi-detached property at around 5.25pm yesterday.
