Firefighters have hailed the brave actions of residents who tackled a house fire in Hamilton Parish and helped an elderly woman escape the flames.

Crews were called to the property on Summit View Drive on Friday, shortly before 5pm, only to find that fire had been put out by a group of neighbours.

“The Fire Service would like to thank the area residents who bravely extinguished the fire prior to the Fire Service arrival and who also assisted an elderly woman to exit the house during the fire,” staff officer Delton White said.

Three fire vehicles and nine firefighters attended the blaze.

The elderly woman suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance for evaluation.

The cause and extent of damage remain under investigation.