Firefighters have been praised for dealing with a flat fire in some sheltered housing in Rotherham.

A woman in her 80s was led to safety, given oxygen at the scene and taken to hospital for a check up after the fire had started in the kitchen of her flat on Queen Street in Swinton.

Some neighbouring residents were also evacuated as a precaution. Two carers were also treated for smoke inhalation after helping to evacuate some residents.

Group Manager Simon Rodgers said: “The flat was full of thick, black smoke and the first firefighters on the scene did a fantastic job of leading the resident to safety, dealing with the fire and looking after the other older people who were living in flats nearby. They did a brilliant job.”

A fire engine from Dearne and two from Rotherham attended the blaze at around 6.45am.

It’s thought the fire originated from a toaster before spreading to the rest of the kitchen.