Woman dies after fire

A woman has died after fire broke out at her flat in Greater Manchester in the early hours of Monday.

The flat in Newton Heath was well alight when fire crews were called at about 0430 GMT.

Although the woman, who was unconscious, was rescued from the ground floor flat in Terence Street, attempts to revive her at the scene were unsuccessful.

An investigation into the cause of the fire has begun.

'Windows blackened'

A spokesman for Greater Manchester fire service said the fire was in its "latter stages" when crews arrived.

He told BBC News Online: "The fire involved the ground floor flat of a warden-controlled flat.

"A woman, aged 58, was rescued from the kitchen of the premises, but unfortunately attempts to revive her were unsuccessful."

He said that when crews were first alerted to the fire the windows of the flat were already blackened and smoke was billowing from the property.

Greater Manchester Police said the fire was not being treated as suspicious.