Elderly woman who died in Churchill Drive fire was 'talented artist'

Neighbours spoke of their sadness after the woman died in the blaze yesterday (Friday).

A neighbour said: "I did not know her personally. I believe she kept herself to herself.

"Whenever I would walk past her house I would often see her artwork in the window.

"You could see how talented she was. It is a terrible shame.

"We could hear the emergency services and the see the fire but you cannot do anything to help, it's awful." 

DAMAGE: The bungalow was extensively damaged.

Crews from Hereford and Worcester Fire Service were called at around 6.30am on Friday, June 3 to reports of a large fire in Churchill Drive.

The bungalow was well alight and a person, said by neighbours to be an elderly woman, was later confirmed by West Mercia Police to have died in the blaze.

Police have confirmed that the fire is not being treated as suspicious.

Fire crews and police were at the scene of the fire today (Saturday) to perform additional checks on the property and to work out the cause of the fire.

Another set of neighbours also spoke of seeing her artwork on display at the house but said they didn't know her. 

READ MORE: Police and fire service still investigating Churchill Drive house fire

SCENE: A fire engine at the scene of the house fire in Churchill Drive, Malvern yesterday.

A fire service spokesperson said: "We deployed appliances from Malvern, Worcester, Upton and Ledbury.

"Our crews left yesterday at about 3.22pm but returned at 7.30pm with a thermal imaging camera to ensure there were no further chances of anything else catching alight."