A HOUSEBOUND elderly woman was rescued from her first-floor bedroom after a fire broke in Eight Ash Green, near Colchester.Last night firefighters said it was a mystery who had helped the frail woman – understood to be in her 90s – get out of the blazing property.

By Roddy Ashworth

A HOUSEBOUND elderly woman was rescued from her first-floor bedroom after a fire broke in Eight Ash Green, near Colchester.

Last night firefighters said it was a mystery who had helped the frail woman – understood to be in her 90s – get out of the blazing property.

Emergency services were alerted just before 3pm yesterday, and rescue crews returning from a road accident north of the town were diverted to its location in Wood Lane.

Meanwhile Colchester Station Commander Graham Sellears drove out to the blaze after it was reported a person might be trapped inside.

Four fire engines were dispatched to the scene along with an aerial ladder platform to attack the fire from height.

But despite efforts by firefighters the building's roof was totally destroyed by the flames with major damage caused to the first floor of the four-bedroom property.

Last night Station Officer Terry Jewell said that when crews had arrived at the house flames could be seen coming from the elderly woman's window.

"It's a mystery how she got out. She was all right afterwards – she was checked by paramedics and did not need to go to hospital," he said.

He added he understood the pensioner lived there with her son and her daughter-in-law.

"We don't see fires like that often," said Mr Jewell. "The whole roof has gone and there is extensive damage upstairs.

"It took us until about 5pm to get the fire out, and then there was an hour or so to sort out pockets.

"We think it started in the room where the woman was," he added.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.