An elderly woman has died after a devastating house fire in Newcastle.
Fire crews responded to the blaze on Pelham Court, Kingston Park, on Monday (January 30) at 2.24pm, arriving at the property in just six minutes.
Three appliances from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) attended with six firefighters entering the property and rescuing the 86-year-old. But despite best efforts from ambulance crews, she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
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“Any death connected to a fire is devastating and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim at this time,” said TWFRS area manager Paul Russell.
“Our crews were on scene within minutes of the emergency call and were able to rescue the resident from the property.
“A joint investigation into the circumstances around the fire has now been launched by TWFRS and Northumbria Police. With any fatal fire in the region we will always look to see if there is anything we can learn to help keep the communities of Tyne and Wear safe from harm.”
Detective inspector Jason Henry, of Northumbria Police, echoed the fire service’s sentiments, adding: “Our thoughts are with the victim and their family at this difficult time.
“We will be looking to begin an investigation into the cause of the fire in the coming days and we will then prepare a report for the coroner.”
TWFRS offers free home visits during which they can check smoke alarms or fit new ones.
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