An elderly woman was rescued from a fire at her home in Barkingside in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The woman, thought to be 86, had left a hob on and fallen asleep at home in Walnut Close.

Police officers smelled smoke and raised the alarm with Ilford fire station.

Officers arrived around 12.30am and had to break down the door to get the woman out.

Crew manager Dave Weighhill, from Ilford fire station, said: “She was under the influence of alcohol and had taken in a bit of smoke.

“The ambulance service checked her but she was fine.”