A 94-year-old woman died after apparently trying to put out a toaster on fire in her fifth floor Ramsgate flat on Saturday (August 2).

The victim, who has not yet been named, was taken to hospital following the incident at Granville Court, Victoria Parade, just after midday. She died later that evening.

Ramsgate and Thanet fire crews were called to the six floor building. They found the woman in great distress and understood she had been hurt while trying to extinguish a toaster which caught alight in her kitchen.

A Kent Fire and Rescue spokesman said a neighbour had been alerted by the smoke alarm system sounding. They had discovered the woman with her clothes alight, and doused the flames.

Crews administered burns dressings to the woman at the scene and she was taken by ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital.

It is understood the woman lived on her own.

Adjoining roads were closed by police and traffic diverted for a short time.

One neighbour who does not wish to be named, said: “It was very upsetting. I understand the woman had been banging on the window for help.

“I was told her clothes had caught fire while she was leaning over a toaster. It seems like a really terrible accident.”

A post mortem is due to take place on Tuesday, August 5, when it is anticipated the woman will be formally identified.

A police spokeswoman said: “Officers have looked at the circumstances of the fire. It is not being treated as suspicious.”