FIREFIGHTERS rescued a woman from the balcony of a burning flat with a ladder yesterday evening.

Two crews from Trowbridge and one from Bradford on Avon attended the fire in College Road, Trowbridge, just before 7pm, and saw a woman standing on the balcony of her flat as smoke poured out from behind her.

A Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service spokesman said: “One woman had taken refuge on the balcony and was brought to safety by firefighters using a 12 metre ladder.

“A man was also walked to safety and was treated at the scene by paramedics for smoke inhalation.

“Six breathing apparatus wearers used two hose reel jets and one main jet to tackle the blaze, which was contained within the flat.”

The fire started after a halogen heater was inadvertently switched on – it is believed to have toppled over and ignited some clothing.