A MURDER investigation has been launched after the body of 33-year-old woman was discovered at a house in Burnley.


Police were called to Wilton Street at 9.30am yesterday after concerns were expressed about the safety of a female resident.


Her body was found inside the property and a seven-month-old baby, understood to be her daughter, was also discovered at the address and taken to safety unharmed.


The identity of the woman has not been released by police.


Subsequently a 34-year-old man, earlier detained in nearby Holmby Street in possession of a knife, was re-arrested on suspicion of murder and was last night being interviewed in custody


Last night the property off Colne Road, between Duke Bar and Reedley, was still sealed off and being treated as a crime scene.


A post mortem examination is expected to be conducted shortly and detectives have appealed for witnesses to come forward.


A police spokeswoman said: "We have launched a murder investigation following the death of a woman in Burnley.


"At around 9am on Friday, July 22 a man was stopped in Holmby Street after he was seen acting suspiciously.


"He was arrested on suspicion of possession of a knife and taken to custody. 
"Shortly after 9.30am officers attended an address in Wilton Street to check on the safety of a woman. 


"A 33-year-old woman was found inside the address and was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene. 


"A seven-month-old baby girl was also found at the address unharmed and has been taken to a place of safety. 


"The 34-year-old man from Burnley was subsequently re-arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.


"Formal identification is yet to take place and a post mortem examination will take place in due course to try to establish the exact cause of death. 


"Enquiries are on-going and a crime scene is currently in place at the address in Wilton Street and in Holmby Street where the man was stopped."


It is understood the man and woman were known to each other.


DI Andy Cribbin, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: “This is a tragic incident involving the death of a woman and we are in the very early stages of a murder inquiry.


"At this stage we believe it to be an isolated incident and currently have one man under arrest. 


"Our enquiries remain on-going and I would urge anyone who may have any information that could assist with our investigation to contact us as soon as possible.”


Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log 368 of July 22.
Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.