TRIBUTES have poured in for a 63-year-old woman who died in her bedroom in a flat fire in Grappenhall.

Flowers have been left on the doorstep of the ground floor flat on Ashley Close after a fire broke out on Saturday night.

Emergency services were called by the woman's neighbour after she returned home at around 9pm.

Fire engines from Warrington, Stockton Heath, Birchwood and Penketh were deployed to the scene to tackle the blaze. 

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus attempted to rescue the woman but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “When they arrived crews were confronted with a fire in a ground floor flat.

“They had reports that there was someone inside and so crews wearing breathing apparatus quickly entered the flat.

“They located a woman in a bedroom but sadly she was confirmed to have died at the scene."

A joint investigation with Cheshire Police is now under way to determine the cause of the blaze.

But it is believed that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident.

A file is now being prepared for the coroner. 

Fire crews remained at the scene for more than four hours.

One neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "I didn't realise there was a fire on the street until I heard the sirens.

"I looked outside and saw lots of fire engines at the end of the road.

"It's so sad what has happened."

It is understood the woman was living alone in the flat at the time of the blaze.

Posting on the Warrington Guardian's Facebook page, Bob Wilton said: "This is very sad news and my condolences to her family."

Brenda Massey added: "Aw so tragic condolences to her family and friends. May she RIP."

Jackie McCann wrote: “Thoughts are with the family friends and the residents xx.”