Woman dies in Nelson bungalow fire (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Woman dies in Nelson bungalow fire

6:10pm Sunday 27th March 2011 in News By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

A WOMAN has died after fire ripped through a sheltered housing bungalow in Nelson.

The body of the woman, who is believed to be in her 50s and disabled, was discovered by firefighters after they were called to her home in Rakeshouse Road around 3am.

Fire investigation teams, Crime Scene Investigators from Lancashire Police and detectives spent most of the day at the scene investigating the blaze.

A police spokesman said the exact cause of the fire had still to be established but at this stage it was not believed to be suspicious.

The woman has not yet been named as relatives are still being informed of her death.

The fire started in the living room of the bungalow and left the small property badly damaged.

It is one of three sheltered accommodation bunglaows for disabled people at the top of Rakeshouse Road, opposite Nelson Car Centre.

Neighbours said the woman, known locally as Karen, kept herself to herself and had a partner who worked away a lot of the time.

She received visits several times a week from a carer.

Detective Inspector Stuart Dixon said: “We attended the scene at around 3am along with the fire service and ambulance crews.

“We have launched a joint investigation with the fire service and Crime Scene Investigators were at the scene, but at the moment we do not believe the fire is suspicious.

“We are now in the process of informing the next of kin and family members.”