A WOMAN in her 90s died after an electric blanket caught fire at her bungalow in Bournemouth.

Fire fighters were called to the scene on Saturday morning after being alerted by colleagues from the ambulance service.

They found the property in Dulsie Road, Talbot Woods, completely smoke-logged and the victim dead in her bed.

Crews from Redhill Park used breathing apparatus to search the house. They traced the source of the fire to an electric overblanket. It had been left rolled up on top of the bed and is thought to have acted as a heating coil.

The bed and blanket were destroyed in the blaze, which had burnt itself out before the fire service arrived. There was serious smoke damage throughout the house.

Neighbours of the latest victim expressed their shock. Doreen Brown, who lives opposite, said she had spoken to the woman only the day before, when she was on her way to the dentist with her carer.

"She was lovely. I had known her for more than 40 years. I had only been here a few weeks when I got talking to her. She used to take us out in the car. She lost her husband in a train accident when her son was a baby and never remarried.

"She had been in poor health and I think she had been in hospital for three months. It was very difficult for her to walk. I'm going to miss her."

Dorset Fire and Rescue service spokeswoman Carol Longman said: "The property did not have a working smoke alarm, which could have saved this lady's life. We are urging friends, relatives, and neighbours to check on family members and friends if they are elderly or have any doubts about their safety."

"We are working very closely with partner agencies to try and stem these accidents happening - they could so easily be prevented."