Woman’s death in Chirton Grange house fire

On Saturday April 27th, we were called to a house fire in Dorset Grove, Chirton Grange, North Shields. Northumbria Police were also in attendance and they discovered an elderly woman in the property. North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) paramedics confirmed that very sadly, the lady had died.

Firefighters from Tynemouth Community Fire Station arrived at the house at 14.23, where a fire had taken place in the kitchen. Two kitchen units were severely damaged by fire, with some fire and smoke damage to the rest of the kitchen.   There was also some smoke damage to the remainder of the property. The fire was already extinguished when firefighters arrived at the property.

TWFRS Area Manager – Community Safety – Lynsey McVay commented:

“This is terrible news for the family and friends of this lady. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to them at this very sad time. At the moment we don’t yet know the cause of the fire but we would always urge people to make sure that they have a working smoke alarm and that they check it regularly in an attempt to prevent tragedies like this occurring.”

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and Northumbria Police are carrying out an investigation into the cause of the fire.

Detective Inspector Martin Brooks, of Northumbria Police’s Northern CID, said:

“It is very early in our investigation to say what has caused this fire and so we are treating this death as unexplained. We will be working closely with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue service to establish if any criminal offences have taken place and we will also be supporting the family at this incredibly difficult time. Anyone who has information that may assist the ongoing investigation is encouraged to call the police on 101.”