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Grandma lucky to escape fierce blaze caused by wheat pack

An 88-year-old woman has escaped with minor burns - and her pet budgie - after a Sydney house fire believed to have been caused by a hot therapeutic wheat pack.

The great-grandmother tried to fight the flames herself before being forced to flee.

Fire crews raced to the Brighton Le Sands home around 2.40am on Friday when the fire broke out.

The fire broke out at 2.40am Friday morning. Source: 7 News

The intensity of the fire caused part of the roof to collapse.

Enid Hazell said she had woken up to go to the bathroom and when she returned to her bedroom her mattress was on fire.

The 88-year-old woman suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation. Source: 7 News

She was shouting when her neighbours heard her screams and rushed to help before calling firefighters.

The intensity of the fire caused part of the roof to collapse. Source: 7 News

"She was yelling, 'help, help', and I said 'I'm here, I'm here, please get out'," her neighbour Violetta said.

A hot wheat pack left on a mattress is believed to have been the cause, but an investigation is ongoing.

The great-grandmother said a heat pack had caused the fire. Source: 7 News

Enid was taken to hospital with minor burns and smoke inhalation.

She said she planned to return to the house but the damage was extensive.

Enid's beloved budgie survived the fire. Source: 7 News