AN elderly woman was recovering today after escaping from a fire at her Ipswich home.The pensioner, who is thought to be in her 80s, and two other occupants fled to the garden as the flames took hold in the living room.

AN elderly woman was recovering today after escaping from a fire at her Ipswich home.

The pensioner, who is thought to be in her 80s, and two other occupants fled to the garden as the flames took hold in the living room.

A joint police and fire probe has been launched into yesterday's blaze - the second fire at her High View Road bungalow in two weeks.

Investigators said the fire started in an “old-style upholstered” chair at around 11.50am, destroying the living room and causing further damage to the rest of the property.

One of her neighbours, Stefan Sadler, 25, said: “I was sitting at home when I saw the smoke. I saw flames near the windows and it looked bad.”

The three occupants suffered smoke inhalation, but the plucky pensioner was resolute despite the shock of the drama.

“I'm not going to hospital. I don't want anything,” she said, before being taken to Ipswich Hospital by paramedics for a check-up.

One of the people with her at the time was thought to be a social worker.

Martyn Thorpe, group manager for the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said the occupants were alerted by a smoke alarm which firefighters had fitted after being called to a blaze there two weeks ago.

He said: “The fire service had their team out and fitted a smoke alarm which activated on this occasion and gave early warning to the occupants as they could easily have been overcome by flames.”

Do you know the elderly lady? Call The Evening Star news desk on 01473 324797 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk.