Woman led to safety after handbag catches fire
An elderly woman had to be evacuated from her home after a discarded cigarette set her handbag on fire.
Published
The pensioner was led to safety from her home on Charles Road, Arleston, Wellington, at around 9.30am on Saturday.
Firefighters were called to the home after a cigarette fell from an ash tray and landed inside the woman's handbag, setting off a fire alarm.
Ian Leigh, watch manager at Wellington Fire Station, said the incident could have been a lot worse.
He said: "If she hadn't had a working smoke alarm the fire could have been a lot worse. She wasn't aware of the fire until the alarm went off."
The fire caused a small amount of damage to the handbag and carpet.
