A WOMAN put her life at risk - to rescue her pet animals, firefighters have claimed.

The 27-year-old lady suffered serious smoke inhalation and was detained in Halton Hospital overnight.

She delayed escaping from her burning home to wrap her gerbil and rabbit in a blanket and carry them to safety. The blaze broke out in the kitchen of her first floor flat in The Knoll, Palacefields, at 10.27pm on Sunday.

Leading firefighter, Ken Sharratt, said: "She was putting her own life in danger. We would advise people to get out immediately and leave the rescue of animals to us."

A burning cigarette discarded in a plastic bin in the kitchen, he said, caused the blaze.

The woman was only alerted after smoke started to seep into her lounge.

Firefighters say she could have been trapped as her smoke alarm wasn't working.

"The battery in her smoke detector had not been replaced so it failed to operate," said Mr Sharratt.

"The woman continued to inhale smoke which contains carbon dioxide. This builds up in your system and can saturate your body so much you are unable to take in any oxygen. The woman did need medical attention. She could have collapsed."