A PENSIONER was given oxygen by firefighters after she dashed back in to her blazing home to rescue her pet budgie.

An electrical fault on a tumble drier is thought to have sparked a fire at the 67-year-old woman's home in Thirlmere Drive, Little Hulton, at 12.10pm today She spotted flames and raised the alarm with neighbours before going back in to the lounge of the semi-detached house to pick up the bird's cage.

Fire crews were called to the scene and put out a fire which damaged units and work tops in the kitchen.

The woman was given oxygen therapy but did not go to hospital.

Crew manager Steve Torkington said: "We advise people not to go back in to their houses for any reason for the simple fact that smoke can very quickly overpower people."