A 40-year-old York woman was taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation after a fire broke out in her second floor flat.

The fire, which damaged a property in Winchester House, Lowther Terrace, happened at about 5am today.

Fire chiefs called to the blaze believe the woman fell asleep while smoking and was alerted to the fire by her smoke alarm.

Updated: 11:18 Wednesday, October 24, 2001