AN elderly woman has died after a small fire started in her kitchen.

The 66-year-old woman, whose identity had not yet been released, was pronounced dead at the scene last night.

Fire crews were called to her home on Sycamore Crescent in Trimdon Station, County Durham, at 9.04pm after passersby heard an alarm going off in the house.

Within 20 minutes the woman had been located and removed from the house by four firemen wearing breathing apparatus.

Two fire crews from Peterlee and the retained team based at Wheatley Hill responded to the call.

Robin Turnbull from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said the fire, which was in the kitchen, had been very small and only minimal damage was caused to the house.

He said it is too early to speculate about what caused the woman’s death or the fire.

The fire officer said: “We have launched a joint investigation with Durham Police to determine exactly what has happened.”

Mr Turnbull did issue an appeal however to ensure people have working smoking alarms fitted.

For a free fitting and fire safety assessment, contact the fire service on 0191-3324-222.