Woman Dies In Market Drayton House Fire

A woman died in a Shropshire house fire today.

The fire was at a home in Maer Lane, Market Drayton at around 7.45am.

Initial reports suggested someone may be trapped in the premises.  The fire service made a forced entry and brought out a woman who was pronounced dead at the scene a short time after.

There was no-one else in the premises.

A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "We will be conducting an investigation into the circumstances but initial inquiries suggest there are no suspicious circumstances."

The coroner for Mid and North Shropshire Mr John Ellery has been informed.  A post mortem will be held and an inquest opened in due course.

The alarm was raised by a member of the public who spotted smoke coming from the premises.

Maer Lane was closed between Smithfield Road and Cheshire Street while the emergency services were at the scene.

The woman has yet to be formally identified.

Issued: Monday, 23 January 2012