Fire couple saved by cat

AN ELDERLY couple were saved from a house fire after being alerted by their pet cat.

The fire started in the kitchen of the couple's cottage in Athelstaneford, East Lothian, at around 1:25am today.

They do not have a smoke alarm, however, and it is understood their pet cat jumped on to the bed and woke up the pair, who were then able to alert firefighters and get outside.

Two crews attended and extinguished the fire, although it had already caused severe smoke damage to the cottage and virtually destroyed the kitchen.

The couple were treated at the scene before being taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary suffering from smoke inhalation and serious burns to their hands.