An elderly woman was believed to have been rescued by neighbours when a fire broke out in her home last night.

An elderly woman was believed to have been rescued by neighbours when a fire broke out in her home last night.

The elderly woman was helped from her house in Fingringhoe Road, Colchester, when a fire broke out at just before 8pm.

An Essex police spokesman said neighbours saw the smoke and helped the woman from the property.

It is believed the woman was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation by firefighters and the ambulance service.

Two firecrews from Colchester were called to the scene at just before 8pm and police arrived shortly afterwards.

Last night, police officers were still at the scene assisting firefighters with an investigation into the cause of the blaze.