County woman dies in house fire (From Evesham Journal)

County woman dies in house fire

4:50pm Saturday 18th February 2012 in News By Neil Watts

AN ELDERLY WOMAN has died after a house fire in a county village.

The 69-year-old woman was found in cardiac arrest by paramedics at a property in Jarvis Street, in Eckington, near Pershore, at about 7.30pm on Friday.

She was taken by ambulance to Worcestershire Royal Hospital but later died as a result of her injuries.

A 73-year-old man who was found unconscious after suffering severe smoke inhalation remains critically ill in hospital.

The woman has not been named but her next of kin have been informed.

Neighbour David Doyle helped direct firefighters to the property and described the couple as infirm.

He said: "I was aware of the fire engines arriving outside and indicated to them exactly where the that house was.

"It was then obvious smoke was coming out of the bedroom window."

He added: "They were very proud and independent people that did not always perhaps take the help that was offered them.

"It's a shock to the locals that something like that should happen."

It is thought the blaze started in the kitchen and was caused by an electricial fault.

It produced large amounts of smoke, which spread through the house creating challenging conditions for the firefighters.

A joint police and fire service investigation has been launched.