Woman dies in flat fire

A woman has died in a fire on Teesside.

The 48-year-old was in a flat on the first floor of a warden-controlled building in Middlesbrough, when the fire broke out.

It is thought the fire started in a gas cooker in the council-owned property.

Cleveland Police said the incident happened at about 2200 GMT on Saturday.

There are no suspicious circumstances.

The police spokesman said: "Fire officers were called to the flat in Garret Walk, where they found a woman dead.

"At this stage there appear to be no suspicious circumstances and the Home Office pathologist has been informed.

"The first floor flat is owned by the local authority and warden controlled.

A forensic investigation is continuing."