Firefighters led an elderly woman to safety after a fire broke out in the kitchen of her home in Scotby near Carlisle.

The alarm was raised just before 1pm.

Crews from Carlisle's east and west fire stations were called to the first floor flat just off Scotby Road after a smoke alarm activated, alerting the woman.

The fire, caused by an unattended pan on a cooker, caused extensive smoke damage and destroyed part of the kitchen.

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went into the property to tackle the fire.

A spokesman for Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service said: "An 86-year-old woman was led to safety from the property. We had to give her oxygen therapy.

"We were at the scene for just over an hour."

The woman did not need hospital treatment, he said.

The spokesman added that firefighters will fit smoke alarms to their property free of charge if required. For more information call 0800 358 4777.