AN ELDERLY woman died today in a fire at her home in Minster, near Ramsgate. Neighbours tried to rescue the woman from her detached house in Monkton Road but they were beaten back by smoke and flames.

When fire fighters arrived, the hallway of the house was well alight. Crews wearing breathing apparatus entered the house and found the woman’s body inside.

She has not yet been named. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Bill Welsh said: “Fire investigation officers are trying to establish the cause of the fire. Early indications are that there were no smoke alarms fitted, but severe damage makes it difficult to say for definite.

“All too often it is elderly people who become victims of fire. The key messages from this tragic incident are to close all your doors when you go to sleep to stop fire spreading and also check your smoke alarm is working.”