A WOMAN badly burned in a South Tyneside flat fire is in a “critical, but stable” condition in hospital.
The 47-year-old woman was rescued after a blaze in Westfield, Hedworth, Jarrow, early on Wednesday.
Fire gutted the ground-floor property, leaving Mary Clare Turner with 50 per cent burns.
Six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus broke into the flat to rescue the injured woman, who was treated at the scene by paramedics.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service believe the fire started on a sofa in the living room.
A dozen firefighters from Hebburn and Fulwell tackled the blaze, after the occupant raised the alarm herself.
The injured woman is recovering in the intensive care unit at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the blaze, which started just before 2am on Wednesday, but are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
Anyone with information should call 101 ext 69191.