An 85-year-old woman was rushed to hospital after firefighters rescued her from a burning building.
Three fire engines rushed to the house in Moorland Road, Hemel Hempstead, after being called at 9.45pm on Sunday night.
Watch commander Andy Esson said the first-floor was smoke-logged when they got there, so firefighters had to use breathing apparatus to go in.
He said: “These guys did a great job of rescuing her and now she’s in hospital.”
He said the damage to the house was minor, and that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
He said the woman was lucky to have a working smoke alarm that alerted her carers to the problem instantly, who then got in touch with the fire service.