Elderly woman found dead after fire

A WOMAN was found dead after a flat fire in Devon, emergency services have revealed.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue services were called to a home in School Street, Sidford, at approximately 4am on Friday after reports of an alarm.

Crews found a small fire in the bedroom of a ground-floor property.

Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that an elderly woman was found deceased inside the flat.

A spokesperson said that the woman’s next of kin were informed. The force said enquiries were continuing, however the woman’s death was not currently being treated as suspicious.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokeswoman said: “Officers from Devon and Cornwall police responded to reports of a house fire in School Street, in Sidford, Devon, in the early hours of this morning, Friday 18 December.

“Unfortunately, a woman in her 70s was located deceased inside the property. Her next of kin have been informed.”

On arrival, fire services found smoke inside the building and a person who was in a ‘serious condition’.

A spokesman for the fire services said: “We were called to a property in School Street at 4am after reports of an alarm sounding.

“On inspection, smoke was seen inside the building. Three fire crews attended and a small fire was extinguished in the bedroom of a ground floor flat. A casualty was found in the flat in a serious condition.”

The fire service said the ambulance service also attended.