Inquiry after woman, 86, is found dead in house blaze

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a woman was found dead in a house fire.

The 86-year-old was discovered in her first-floor bedroom at a terraced property on Grimshaw Lane, Bollington, on Saturday, January 16.

Firefighters had been called to the home at around 11.20am after a neighbour heard an alarm and called 999.

They had to force their way into the house and made the grim discovery following a search.

The fire had also started in the bedroom in the floorboards and although it was small the first-floor was heavily smoke logged.

Crews from Bollington and Macclesfield stations only needed a small amount of water to extinguish the flames.

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews from Macclesfield and Bollington attended the scene and forced entry into the address.

”Two firefighters, wearing breathing apparatus, entered the building with a hose reel jet.

“While searching the premises the crews found that the first floor was heavily smoke logged.

“They also found a small fire in the floorboards which was extinguished with water.

“Sadly a woman, believed to be in her 80s, was found dead on the first floor of the address, her next of kin have been informed.

”The cause of the fire remains under investigation, although it is not believed to be suspicious at this time. Sad events like this remind us to pay extra attention to home fire safety.” As news of the tragedy broke residents in Bollington reacted with shock.

Councillor Ken Edwards, from Bollington Town Council, said: “It is a shocking and disturbing thing to happen when someone is isolated in that way.

”We are all confined to our homes, living there much more intensely and it make you very careful about your own behaviour, reflect and feel deep sympathy for the woman and her family.

”I am sure the community will be reflecting on this very tragic event.”