A SMOKE alarm saved the life of a woman who became trapped in her home after a cycle helmet she was using as an ashtray burst into flames.

Two fire engines were called to Arthur Bennett Court, Birch Street, Swindon, after being alerted by an automatic fire alarm at the sheltered flats.

Firemen arrived on the scene to find thick smoke billowing out of a first-floor flat.

They gained entry to find a 64-year-old woman who was disorientated and suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

They led the woman to safety and then quickly tackled the fire, which did not spread beyond the plastic cycle helmet.

Acting sub-officer Lance Forster from Drove Road fire station said: "When we got there the lady was just inside the front door she didn't really know what was going on.

"She was coughing and spluttering, we gave her oxygen and then the ambulance crew took over."

The woman was taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital to be treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.

Officer Forster said: "It was a good thing the alarm went off. If it hadn't nobody would have realised there was a fire and she probably wouldn't have survived.

"If we'd arrived five or ten minutes later the effects would have been far more serious."

None of the other 60 residents needed to be evacuated from the flats following the fire yesterday.

Because many of them are elderly and infirm they have instructions to stay inside their homes in case of fire unless they are told to evacuate.

Jean Scott, 66, said residents have raised concerns about fire safety at the flats over the last 12 months.

"It's so scary because it could have been a lot worse," she said.

"A lot of us are scared this sort of thing could happen again."

Council spokeswoman Sarah Deacon said: "We are aware of this incident. We are conscious of the other residents' concerns and are investigating the situation."