AN elderly woman, believed to be in her 80s, has been rescued from a house fire near Ross-on-Wye this morning.

Fire crews from Ross and Cinderford, Gloucestershire, were called to Aston Crews, near Lea, at 5.30am.

Fire press officer Alec Mackie said: “When crews arrived the woman’s daughter, who is believed to live nearby, was outside shouting to her mother, then ran into the house.

“One of the lads quickly jumped from the pump and followed her in. He came out with the daughter and the elderly lady, who had got down the stairs despite needing to use a walking frame.

“The lady was ok - I think we got there just in time.”

Officers put out a fire within an hour and prevented it from spreading to other parts of the house.

It is believed to have started by a tumble-dryer overheating because of an electrical fault. A full investigation is still being carried out.