FIRE bosses have called for residents to look out for their elderly neighbours following the death of a pensioner.

As reported in later editions of last night's Evening Times, a 77-year-old woman died and eight others were treated for smoke inhalation after a fire in East Kilbride.

Emergency crews were called to the Glen Moy flat shortly after 6.30am yesterday.

The death comes as Strathclyde Fire and Rescue (SFR) continue to promote a campaign to ensure all homes in the region have working smoke alarms.

Neighbours raised the alarm on hearing screams after the blaze broke out in a ground- floor flat in the St Leonard's area of the South Lanarkshire town.

Emergency services rushed to blaze, the second fire in the street in less than two weeks.

Three people were taken to nearby Hairmyres Hospital and five more were treated at the scene.

A joint investigation into the cause of the fire will be held by SFR and police. A police spokes-woman said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Earlier this month 10 people had to be rescued from a neighbouring Glen Moy block of flats. Police are treating the blaze as deliberate.

That fire was started on the second floor of the building, causing residents living on the floor above to become trapped.

SFR crews will now undertake a community safety campaign in the area to reassure residents and offer free Home Fire Safety Visits and fire safety advice.Assistant chief officer Lewis Ramsay said yesterday's incident highlighted the importance of SFR's current community safety campaign.

He said "It is still being investigated and I am not in a position to comment specifically about what happened.

"In terms of house fires generally, we are in the middle of a pro-active public safety campaign called, Join the Fight Against Fire.

"We want to make sure everyone in the community is looking out for our elderly and vulnerable neighbours."

To arrange a free Home Fire Safety Visit call Strathclyde Fire & Rescue on 0800 0731 999 or text "check" to 61611.

You can also get in touch by calling your local community fire station.

More information on the Fight against Fire is available at www.strathclydefire.org

catriona.stewart@ eveningtimes.co.uk