Elderly woman escapes cottage blaze

AN elderly woman was being treated in hospital last night following a fire at her home in Co Clare on Sunday.

The fire was reported shortly after 8pm at her cottage at Brickhill West near Cratloe, Co Clare. Ambulance paramedics from Limerick were on the scene first. Two units from Shannon fire brigade also attended the incident.

The woman managed to escape from the cottage and was treated at the scene by medics.

Firefighters wearing specialist breathing apparatus entered the cottage to ensure no other occupants were inside, while other personnel began tackling the blaze.

The 75-year-old suffered smoke inhalation and associated internal injuries but did not sustain any burn injuries.

Engineers from the ESB were also called to the scene of the fire to disconnect the electricity and make the house safe.

The woman was initially treated at the scene before being taken by ambulance to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick, where she was being treated last night. Her condition is unknown, but it is understood that her injuries are not life-threatening.

The cause of the fire is being investigated, although it is believed to have started accidentally.