FOUR neighbours in a Taunton block of flats had a narrow escape when they were trapped in a blaze on New Year's Day.

They were rescued by firefighters after being forced back by thick, choking smoke in their council homes in St Patrick's Road.

Tamsyn Littledale and her two neighbours were ushered to safety from the balconies of their first floor flats by firefighters who used ladders to reach them.

A downstairs tenant in the council block was helped out once the fire had been extinguished.

No-one was hurt in the incident soon after 1pm, but the victims suffered shock and smoke inhalation.

Tamsyn, 20, who was ill over the festive period, initially went back to bed after she was woken by her smoke detector.

"I heard the alarm, got up and went to the hallway, but couldn't see any flames or smoke," said Tamsyn. "I thought the batteries were playing up, so I took the alarm down and went back to bed.

"Then it suddenly hit me that it was mains operated, so I jumped out of bed and ran back to the hallway, where I noticed smoke everywhere."

Somerset Fire Brigade said the blaze started accidentally in a waste bin, causing "moderate damage."