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Firefighters believe a serious blaze started after a householder left her cooker switched on when she went to the shops.

The woman returned to find smoke billowing from the terrace property in Fletcher Road, Stoke, yesterday afternoon.

She then suffered minor burns after going inside to try to save her cats.

Now Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service have warned homeowners not to leave their ovens on when they leave their properties and not to try to rescue pets.

(Image: Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service)

Crew manager Daniel Wheeler, of Hanley Red Watch, told The Sentinel: “We got the call about 2pm to reports of a house fire. One female casualty suffered minor burns.

“At the moment we believe it was accidental ignition as the homeowner left a cooker on and went out. We believe it has been on for a long period of time.

“Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reel jets to tackle the blaze. We extinguished the fire in one-and-a-half hours.

“Precautionary checks did take place in neighbouring properties to make sure the flames had not spread.

“The householder returned home to find it on fire and she attempted to rescue her cats which is how she sustained the burns. A passer-by had opened the back door to let the cats out.

“The message from us is we stress do not leave a cooker on and leave the property. And do not go back in to try and rescue pets.”

Neighbour Ellie Kendrick was relieved the victim was not seriously injured.

The 18-year-old said: “I do not really know her as I only moved in a couple of months ago. I think she was alright, and that is the main thing.

“We got told to go back in our houses and I stayed in since then. There is a gap between my house and hers but I am just glad she is OK.”

Crews from Hanley, Longton and Newcastle attended the incident along with paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service.

An ambulance service spokesman said: “We were called by the fire service just before 2pm. We treated one woman for minor burns and she was taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital.”