Woman dies at scene of flat blaze

Crews rescued the woman but she was declared dead at the scene

An elderly woman has died in a flat fire in Brighton.

Emergency teams were called to the ground floor property in Ewart Street at about 0115 GMT.

Firefighters rescued the woman from her home, where she lived alone, but she was declared dead at the scene, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said.

Sussex Police said the cause of the blaze is being investigated. The woman has not yet been named and officers are still tracing her family.

Inquiries continue

Forensics officers remained at the scene on Sunday morning, and a coroner's officer has been informed.

Insp Nathan Evans said: "A fire took place in the early hours of this morning in Ewart Street, Brighton.

"Emergency services attended and the sole elderly resident was found deceased.

"She is not being identified at this stage until next of kin are aware of the outcome.

"Police and fire staff are still working to ascertain the cause of the fire."