A WOMAN was taken to hospital with burns after a fire broke out in a semi-detached house.

Firefighters were called to a property in Hilltop Close, Rayleigh, shortly before 1pm on Sunday.

On arrival, the crews reported the house was 50 per cent alight.

The fire was extinguished by 1.35pm and crews used a ventilation fan to clear smoke from the property.

An Essex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "A woman suffering with minor burns and smoke inhalation was led out of the property by firefighters.

"The woman has been left in the care of the ambulance service.

"An investigation will be carried out to establish the cause of the fire, but it is not thought to be suspicious."