Woman dies in house fire after flames rip through home in Essex

A WOMAN has died in a house fire after flames ripped through her home.

Firefighters were called to a home in Leigh, Essex, at around 2.15am this morning.

Flames were seen on the ground floor of the the mid-terraced house.

Essex Fire confirmed that a woman died at the scene, after neighbours were evacuated and the fire was contained.

An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire.

Essex Police said: "We were called to a fire at a house in Mountdale Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea shortly after 2.15am today.

"Sadly, a woman found inside had died.

"Essex County Fire and Rescue Service will carry out an investigation into the cause of the fire but we are not currently treating the woman’s death as suspicious."