AN INQUEST is to be held into the death of Veronica O'Pray who perished when flames swept through her cottage at Lower Halstow, near Sittingbourne, on Wednesday night.

She was in a her fifties and lived alone. Her badly burnt body was found on the ground floor of the property.

A post mortem examination will also be held. Police say the fire is not being treated as malicious.

Neighbours have been praised for attempting a rescue. Det Insp Mick Costello, of Swale police, said they were beaten back by the fire which badly damaged the Victorian terraced house in Breach Lane.

Police spokeswoman Sally Farrell said the blaze, which is thought to have started on the ground floor, eventually caused the first floor and stairs to collapse.