A woman has died in a house fire in County Durham on Thursday (December 22) morning, as emergency crews tried to save her life. 

Emergency services attended the house on Shafto Way in Newton Aycliffe at around 3am following reports of a property on fire on the street. 

After arriving on the scene, firefighters from Newton Aycliffe and Darlington battled the flames and tried to extinguish the fire.

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Several of the crew went into the house in an attempt to save the woman's life - before performing CPR on her.

However, she was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics that had also attended. 

No one else was injured in the incident, according to the emergency services. 

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the tragic news on Thursday afternoon - with the group manager for the service, Michael Pearson, paying tribute to the victim of the fire. 

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He said: "Our thoughts and condolences are with the woman's family and friends at this time. 

"Our fire investigation team is now working closely with our police colleagues to investigate the cause of the fire.  

"Fire crews are in the area today speaking with neighbours and fitting smoke alarms were required."