Last updated 10:04, Tuesday, 07 October 2008

An elderly woman was found dead following a fire at her home in Workington.

The house at Mossbay Road this morning

Police and firefighters discovered the pensioner’s body after fire crews battled a blaze at her house in Mossbay Road last night.

Emergency crews said they were alerted after the woman’s fire alarm went off.

Four firefighters wearing breathing equipment extinguished the flames, which were described as “well alight” when they arrived.

But the woman’s body was also discovered during the course of the operation, which began after fire crews were called out at 8.40pm.

Police and the fire service are now investigating the blaze. They stressed it was not being treated as suspicious this morning.

A police spokeswoman said: “Police and fire crews were called to the scene of a house fire on Mossbay Road in Workington after neighbours reported a fire alarm sounding.

“Upon entering the premises the body of an elderly female was found.

“Police and fire service will now work together to extend their enquiries and work to establish the cause of the fire.

“The cause of the fire is not believed to be suspicious at this time.”

A fire service statement said: “On arrival, the fire was well alight. Crews gained entry to the property and the fire was extinguished by four breathing apparatus wearers using two hose reels.”

The dead woman had not been formally identified this morning but was expected to be named later today.