An elderly woman has been rescued from a house fire in Wythall this afternoon. 

Firefighters from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) rushed to the scene of a blaze at a home on Norton Lane at around 12.36pm today (Monday, June 24). 

An elderly woman was rescued from the property by two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus. 

The fire, which HWFRS said was caused by smoking, was successfully extinguished with a thermal imaging camera used to check for hot spots. 

The woman was handed over to the care of the ambulance service. 

A spokesperson for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: "A Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crew from Redditch Fire Station, along with two West Midlands Fire Service crews, were called at 12.36pm on June 24 to a house fire with persons reported in Norton Lane, Wythall.

"An elderly woman was rescued from the property by two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and the fire, which was caused by smoking, was extinguished with positive pressure ventilation used.

"A thermal imaging camera was used to check for hot spots. The casualty was handed over to the care of the ambulance service who attended along with police. The incident was marked as pending closure at 2.02pm." 

A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called to a fire at a property on Norton Lane in Wythall at around 12.40pm. An ambulance and paramedic officer were sent to the scene where, on arrival, crews found one female patient.

"The woman was treated for possible smoke inhalation and taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for further treatment."

West Mercia Police also attended the scene and issued a warning to residents to keep away from the area whilst emergency services dealt with the incident. 

Officers also closed Norton Lane, Lea Green Lane and the junction of Gorsey Lane with motorists urged to find an alternative route. 

The roads had all been reopened by 2.15pm. 

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "Earlier this afternoon we assisted the fire service with road closures around Norton Lane in Wythall as they dealt with a house fire. 

"All roads have now re-opened."