A WOMAN was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and minor burns after a fire at a picture framing shop.

Emergency services were called to Station Terrace, in Middleton St George, near Darlington, at 7.15am on Thursday (April 4).

Two appliances from Darlington Fire Station attended, along with an aerial ladder platform and an ambulance crew.

The woman, who is understood to be in her 50s, was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Crew manager Steve Luke, of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said the fire started in a downstairs living room at the property.

He said: “There was one female occupier, who was treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns to her hand.

“She was taken to hospital by ambulance.

“One room in the property suffered major damage and there was smoke damage to the entire property.

“There was some flames, but there was quite a lot of fire-loading in the building, lots of picture frames, it was heavily smoke-logged.”

Mr Luke said the blaze started accidentally, in the fire place.