FIREFIGHTERS rescued an unconscious pensioner from her smoke-filled kitchen. She had collapsed and hit her head after a chip pan fire.

They were called to the house in Higher Antley Street, Accrington at 6.15pm yesterday.

Winifred Richards, the 81-year-old owner of the house, had fallen and knocked herself unconscious after seeing the fire and was breathing in smoke.

Fire crews pulled her from the kitchen and she was treated for the effects of smoke inhalation by paramedics at the scene.

Mrs Richards' daughter Ann Burrows went to collect her mother and later took her to Blackburn Royal Infirmary for treatment.