An elderly woman died after a fire at her home early yesterday.
Firefighters from Ilkley and Silsden were called to the house on High Mill Lane off Bolton Road, Addingham, at about 4am.
A neighbour is said to have called the fire service and attempted to rescue the woman, but was unable to get into her bedroom, beaten back by the heat and smoke.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus got the woman out of the house.
The resident, believed to be in her 90s, was taken to Airedale General Hospital by ambulance. It was later confirmed that she had died.
Her name has not been released by police until relatives have been informed.
Fire investigators believe smoking materials were the cause of the blaze, and police have ruled out any suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire.
No damage to the building could be seen from the front of the property.
Fire investigators and police remained at the scene until late yesterday morning.
A West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman was keen to warn others of the fire risks associated with smoking.
Lead Fire Investigation Officer Chris Clarke said it was believed the fire was caused by smoking in bed, but did not know if a dropped cigarette or a match was to blame.
He said: “Smoking in bed is extremely dangerous and we would advise people not to smoke in bed. Smokers should also make sure they use an ashtray and make sure that cigarettes are extinguished properly in the ashtray.”
- Read the full story in Thursday's T&A
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