Worcestershire TeleCare, part of The Community Housing Group, has been involved in saving a pensioner from a potentially fatal fire.

Birdie Preece, who lives in Gloucester, had collapsed from smoke inhalation while a fire raged through her kitchen.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to the fire by Ms Preece’s telecare equipment.

The equipment is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by Worcestershire TeleCare and when Ms Preece’s linked smoke detector raised a call to the Monitoring and Response Centre, quick thinking staff alerted the Fire Service to attend Ms Preece’s property.

Firemen forced entry into the house to extinguish the flames, and had to use specialist fans to ventilate the property. Ms Preece was taken to hospital by paramedics.

Jon Hall, Chief Fire Officer for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The consequences could have been very different had we not been alerted to this fire by the alarm system.”

This incident has highlighted how important telecare equipment is in helping people to live safely at home.

If you would like more information on how Worcestershire TeleCare can help you, please call 0845 130 1469.