A WOMAN was dramatically rescued from her bedroom window after a fire started in her first floor flat.

Firefighters were called to the five-storey block of purpose built flats in Preston Road, Chorley, around 4pm on Tuesday.

The woman, in her 50s, could be seen screaming for help at her bedroom window.

Flames and smoke were visibly pouring from the property.

She was brought down a ladder by fire crews and taken to hospital with smoke inhalation. Initial blood tests showed she had taken in a high content of smoke, but it was not thought to be life threatening.

Seven other people living in the block of flats were evacuated and treated at the scene with oxygen.

Eight firefighters used breathing apparatus, hose reels, ventilation units and extension ladders to tackle the blaze.

Chorley crew manager Paula Richards said: “This was a substantial fire in the bedroom of a first floor flat.

“There was a lot of damage to her bedroom, the plaster had come off the walls. The fire investigation team are conducting their inquiries, but until we speak to her, we won’t know the full situation.

“There was an ash tray on the balcony, so we think she smokes outside. The seat of the fire was in the bedroom, but because of the damage it is too early to say what the cause was.”

Police were also in attendance.

Fire crews were at the scene until 9.30pm on Tuesday.