AN elderly woman had to be rescued from a house in Atherton after a car caught fire.

Smoke from the blaze was spreading into the house, in Leigh Road, and the 81-year-old was led out of the property by firefighters at about 1.30am this morning.

The woman was treated for smoke inhalation, but did not need further treatment and was able to return to her home.

The fire crew from Atherton fire station who attended the blaze said it is not known how the Ford Fiesta, which was parked on the driveway of the house, caught fire.