PASSERS-BY led a woman to safety after spotting smoke and flames issuing from the window of a flat in Bebington.

Crews from Bromborough and Birkenhead fire stations were called at around 9pm yesterday to the blaze in Bebington Road.

The fire had started in the living room of the property and was well alight when firefighters arrived.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus used two high pressure hoses to tackle the flames and stop the fire spreading further. The room was severely damaged by fire and four other rooms heavily damaged by smoke.

By 9.50pm firefighters were carrying out damping down operations.

Two other flats were checked to see whether the flames had spread anywhere else. Both flats had light smoke damage. 

Station manager Andy Groom said: “Two smoke alarms were activating when firefighters arrived and they did well to contain the fire to the room where it started and stopped it spreading to other flats.

“Two passers-by, who saw smoke coming out of the flat window, led a woman to safety from the building. 

“An investigation into the cause is underway.

"We urge people to have working smoke alarms on each level of their home and, if they discover a fire or a fire starts, to get out, stay out and call 999.”

The woman was later taken to Arrowe Park Hospital for treatment. The extent of her injuries is unknown at this point, but it is believed she had suffered the effects of smoke inhalation.