THREE fire crews from Douglas spent two hours at a property in Onchan last night (Wednesday) following a bedroom fire.

The crews were called at around 5.43pm to the property on Ridgeway Road.

On arrival firefighters wearing breathing apparatus discovered a well-established fire in a first floor bedroom.

One elderly occupant was rescued from the ground floor and taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

Four firefighters then used hose reels to bring the fire under control however there was smoke damage to the rest of the property.

The cause of the fire is believed to have been an electric blanket which was left plugged in and turned on.

Although smoke detectors were fitted in the property they failed to operate due to the fact that the batteries had been removed.

Isle of Man Fire and Rescue has issued the following advice to members of the public:

- Ensure you have working smoke detectors in your property. Test them once a week and change the battery every year. Never remove the battery to use in other electrical items.

- Electric blankets should be tested every two years and disposed of after 10.