Woman dies after blaze at house

By CAMPBELL HUTCHESON
Published on 30/12/2012 00:00

AN ELDERLY woman died following a house fire in Alexandria, near Dumbarton, yesterday.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene after firefighters removed her from a two-storey, semi-detached property in Burns Street.

Fire crews from Balloch and Dumbarton community fire stations were called just before 6am, having been alerted by a passer-by.

Advised that an elderly woman was within the building, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus immediately began a search of the property.

The casualty was located quickly in an upstairs bedroom and removed from the building, but paramedics were unable to save her.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and a joint investigation by Strathclyde Fire & Rescue and Strathclyde Police is under way. The victim has not yet been named.

The incident marks the third fire fatality in the Strathclyde area over the festive period and the fire service is urging the public to make sure that their homes have a working smoke alarm.