A pensioner has died in a “critical incident” after a huge fire ripped through a flat in Shrewsbury town centre during the early hours of the morning.
Rose Roberts, in her 80s, has been named locally as the victim of the blaze, which erupted through a ground-floor flat in a 16th-century building.
Emergency services rushed to the scene on Castle Street at around 3.30am on Tuesday, January 27.
Ten fire engines raced to tackle the inferno, with crews from Baschurch, Church Stretton, Cleobury Mortimer, Clun, Ellesmere, Minsterley, Shrewsbury, Telford Central, Tweedale, Wellington, and Wem all attending.
West Mercia Police confirmed that Mrs Roberts tragically died at the scene.
Alex Wagner, deputy leader of Shropshire Council and Mayor of Shrewsbury, said: “She was part of the fabric of our town centre community and was well loved by many in Shrewsbury.”
Her daughter, Jessica Richards, paid an emotional tribute, describing her mother as an “amazing person” and said she was “loved by so many”.
“My mother Rose Roberts saved these buildings. She was lost in the fire,” Ms Richards said.
A pensioner has died after a huge fire ripped through a flat in the town centre during the early hours of the morning
|
AMBER WATCH WELLINGTON/FACEBOOK
“It is just so shocking. She was an amazing person, loved by so many. She was my everything.”
The force added one other person was reported to have suffered “significant” injuries in the fire, but they were not believed to be serious.
Residents in the surrounding area were quickly evacuated, as West Mercia Police declared a critical incident.
A cordon remained in place across the surrounding roads through the afternoon.
At the height of the blaze, 10 fire crews were at the scene
|
AMBER WATCH WELLINGTON/FACEBOOK
Shrewsbury Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the blaze has now been controlled
|
AMBER WATCH WELLINGTON/FACEBOOK
Shropshire Fire and Rescue will be launching an investigation into the blaze, though it is not being treated as suspicious.
Superintendent Helen Kinrade said: “Sadly one person has died in the fire which started in the early hours of this morning.
“Our thoughts are with their loved ones at this tragic time.
“A multi-agency response has been established, led by our colleagues at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, to tackle the fire with Shropshire Council supporting local residents who have been evacuated.
“Surrounding roads have been closed and we would ask the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services to deal with the incident safely.”
A spokesman said: “Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service was called at 3.22am to reports of a serious house fire on Castle Street in Shrewsbury, involving two casualties.
“Crews arrived within four minutes of the initial call and at the height of the incident, ten fire appliances were in attendance. A number of nearby residents were evacuated as crews worked to bring the blaze under control.
“The fire is now contained, and our response is being scaled down. Some road closures remain in place, so we urge the public to check local travel updates before setting out. A combined fire Investigation with police is now under way into the cause of the fire.”