FIREFIGHTERS in Plymouth had to deal with two domestic fires within minutes of each other in the early hours of Saturday, rescuing one woman from a burning flat.

The 69-year-old woman had collapsed on her living room floor  after becoming overwhelmed by  smoke.

Two appliances from Greenbank and one from Plymstock  were called to Vauxhall Street  at 2.40am on Saturday morning.

Greenbank watch commander  Fred Quarmby said there was  smoke coming from the windows  and front door on their arrival.

Crews forced the door open to  gain entry to the first-floor flat  where they found a fire had  broken out in the kitchen.

It is believed to have started  after towels had been left on top  of a cooker.

Watch Commander Quarmby  said: “We found the woman on  the lounge floor unconscious.  We believe she had got up in  response to the smoke alarm  and then been overcome by  smoke.

“The woman’s neighbours dialled 999 after hearing a smoke  alarm sounding. That alarm  probably saved her life.”

The woman regained consciousness at the scene and was treated for smoke inhalation before  being taken to Derriford Hospital.

She was not injured.

Crews used two breathing apparatus and one hose reel to  extinguish the flames.

Positive pressure ventilation  fans were used to ventilate the  property.

The kitchen was damaged by  fire and there was smoke damage to the rest of the flat.

Less than 20 minutes later crews were sent to Fairfax Terrace in Ford.

Two appliances from Camels Head put out a fire in the ground floor lounge of a property.

The fire was started by unattended candles and the female resident of the property, who had been asleep upstairs, was woken by neighbours before firefighters arrived.