AN elderly woman had to be rescued from her home after a blaze involving a microwave last night.

Crews said the woman was led to safety by two neighbours following the fire in Westborne sheltered accommodation, Helmshore Road, Helmshore, at 11.15pm.

A spokesperson for Rawtenstall Fire Station said: "The woman had put something in the microwave and it set on fire, smoke logging her flat."

Paramedics treated the woman at the scene for smoke inhalation before she was taken to hospital.

The kitchen units, the flat and outer corridor were moderately damaged by smoke.