Published: Tuesday, 9th March, 2010 2:00pm

Woman is badly burned in fire

SCENE: Fire damage.

A BADLY burned woman is in hospital fighting for life after a horrific fire at a Greenock flat.

The 49-year-old was carried out unconscious and suffered serious smoke inhalation after the fierce blaze ripped though her home, in Inverkip Road, just after 11pm.

She was rescued by fire crews who had to smash their way into the flat after frantic neighbours told them she was still inside.

Richard Duncan, Inverclyde group commander for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, said: "Just after 11pm we received a call to say there was a fire in a ground-floor flat. Firefighters were met by a large crowd who informed them there was an individual still in the flat, above, bottom left. "When they got inside they were met with a very severe fire, with thick, black smoke. The crew rescued one female from the flat, but she was unconscious and unresponsive.

"Firefighters carried out resuscitation at the site while awaiting the arrival of paramedics."

The victim is now in a critical but stable condition after being rushed to a specialist burns unit in Glasgow.

Mr Duncan said: "She was initially taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital and was then transferred to the burns unit at the Royal Infirmary.

"She has severe burns and severe smoke inhalation and is in a critical but stable condition." Firefighters had to evacuate 10 people from the block, near Inverclyde Academy, following the blaze.

The cause of the fire is now under investigation.

A 28-year-old mum, who lives in the next block, said: "I head the fire brigade and saw smoke coming from the building."

A pensioner, who lives in another block, added: "I saw the woman being taken out into the ambulance.

"I'm really shocked. It's such a nice area and they are beautiful big flats."