Neighbours speak of shock and pay tribute to 68-year-old woman who died in Seaham house fire

A woman has died after a fire at a property in Seaham

Neighbours have described their shock and sadness after a 68-year-old woman died in a house fire on the morning of Thursday February 18.

At around 5.40am, firefighters were called to a house fire on Bethune Avenue, Seaham where a woman was found inside the house and died at the scene.

Described by neighbours as a ‘community’ woman and ‘somebody everyone knew’, the death of the well-known Seaham pensioner has left the community heartbroken.

One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous said: “I’ve known her since I was a child, she used to take us to the fields near Queensbury to play rounders – she took all the kids off the street.

"She was one of the most amazing women in the world, everybody knew her round her, she’s been here over 20 years.

"I've known the family all my life, everyone is heartbroken and the community is hurting.”

Another neighbour said: “I just can’t believe it, everyone round here can’t believe what has happened – it’s tragic.

"She was such a big character, loved by everyone and will be greatly missed by so many.”

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service confirmed no one else was injured in the fire or rescued from the property and the cause of the fire is not thought to be suspicious at this time.

One neighbour, who also wished to remain anonymous said: “My son knows her son very well, she’s lived in that house for years and years – everybody knew who she was.

"You don’t see much of her, particularly in the last five years and after her husband passed away she didn’t really come out the house.

"She’s always been a huge part of this neighbourhood and it's still very raw at the moment.”

The fire is not being treated as suspicious. Housing association Believe Housing, which owns the property, has said the cause of the fire are unknown and that they are working with friends and family through this difficult time.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently being carried out.

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