A 24-YEAR-OLD woman was pulled to safety from her burning flat in the early hours of this morning - and neighbours were evacuated as the blaze threatened to rip through the two-storey block.

Fire and police have now launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze.

The fire broke out at 4am in a first floor flat in Ashness Drive, Breightmet, trapping the woman, who then shouted through a window for help.

A neighbour was trying to help as firefighters from Bolton Central and Bolton North arrived, and they then used a ladder to reach the woman from the window.

Emergency services evacuated about half-a-dozen residents from their properties after fears the fire could spread to adjoining houses and flats.

Firefighters forced their way into the flat to tackle the fire, which had spread to the sofa and carpet.

Paramedics treated the woman for smoke inhalation at the scene before taking her to hospital.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “One female, aged 24, was rescued by fire service from the window using ladders and was given oxygen therapy and taken to hospital for a precautionary check.”

The fire service alerted the police after the cause of the fire could not be established.

Crews were on the scene for an hour-and-a-half and police and fire investigation officers returned to the flat at 9am to start their investigation.

Police are trying to determine whether the cause of fire was suspicious.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “The police were requested to attend by the fire service.

“A joint investigation is now underway.”

The woman, who is said to have two children, had not returned to the flat yesterday morning.

A neighbour said: “I was asleep and heard an alarm go off.

“We were told to go outside in case the fire had spread and there was just lots of smoke coming from the windows.

“Fortunately she is okay and her children were not in the flat at the time.

“Smoke alarms are so important.”