A WOMAN suffered breathing problems following a house fire which spread to the house next door.

The blaze happened just before 1am today in Cowslip Cottage, a terraced house in Alcester Road, Feckenham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service received a number of 999 calls at 12.56am.

A woman had to be treated for breathing difficulties at the scene before she was transferred to the Alexander Hospital for further treatment.

The owner of the second house affected by the blaze returned to the scene and was treated or shock but did not need to go to hospital.

A policewoman was also treated for an eye injury caused by breaking glass, but did not need to go to hospital.

As spokesman for the Hereford and Worcester fire and rescue service confirmed that six fire engines had attended the scene and that the house suffered severe smoke damage to the first, ground and third floors.

Propping jacks had to be used to stop part of the building collapsing.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.